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Detox Program

When we feel pain or trauma, we often look for ways to lessen the impact of our emotional burden. Some people develop healthy ways to cope while others turn to drugs or alcohol, in an attempt to self-medicate. This may provide short-term relief, but substance use often prevents people from facing their pain and moving past it. Eventually, addiction takes hold and individuals become trapped in a cycle that is difficult to escape from without the support and guidance of professionals. When those struggling with addiction do enter treatment for a substance use disorder, their journey usually begins with detox. Detox is the first step in recovery that lets individuals move beyond their physical dependence so they can explore the root of their addiction. Focusing on healing is difficult when traces or drugs or alcohol linger in the body, so at The Guest House, we’ve created a safe place in which patients can regain their strength and find the support they need to move forward in recovery. Our high standards of care, modern amenities, and private rooms help ensure a quiet, comfortable experience that gives our guests the time they need to prepare for what comes next. We recognize that detox is a deeply personal experience and hope that patients feel a sense of accomplishment and pride as they complete this important first step toward long-term recovery.

What is Detox?

Detox is the process of healing in which substances are cleansed from the body. The goal is to help patients end their physical dependency on drugs or alcohol so they can begin treatment with a clear mind and renewed hope. Detox is one of the early challenges of recovery because while the body adapts to sobriety, many patients will experience obstacles such as cravings, withdrawal and anxiety. This occurs because long-term drug or alcohol use creates imbalances in the brain and body that affect behavior, mood, logic and more. The brain begins to rely on drugs or alcohol, and it takes time to readjust to their absence, which manifests in a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Known as withdrawal, these symptoms vary depending on a number of factors, but they tend to become more severe as addiction deepens. Withdrawal is part of the reason why it’s so difficult to achieve sustainable recovery without professional help and guidance. Detox is the first step to healing from substance abuse, providing a clean slate on which to begin treatment. Addiction is multifaceted and complex, often developing as a coping mechanism in response to painful life experiences. Detox allows patients to move beyond the physical aspects of addiction so they can explore the deeper components of their substance abuse. Discovering the roots of addictive behavior is key to achieving long-term recovery — when we understand why we turned to drugs or alcohol in the first place, we’re put in a position to face those issues and experience real, sustainable recovery.

Who is a Good Candidate for Detox?

Detox is recommended for most individuals with an active addiction to ensure that their recovery begins on the right foot. Although everyone experiences withdrawal differently, most drugs produce uncomfortable symptoms that can be challenging to overcome. Adapting to sobriety is a process that takes time, during which patients are vulnerable to intense cravings and relapses. This is especially true when individuals attempt to quit “cold turkey” and detox at home. At-home detox is not only ineffective, but it can also be dangerous — some drugs, such as opioids, alcohol and benzodiazepines produce severe withdrawal effects that can become life-threatening if not managed properly. Relapse rates are also high among those who detox on their own, increasing the risk of overdose or other complications. Some key indications that you or a loved one may need to undergo a medically-supervised detox include:

  • Flu-like withdrawal symptoms
  • Erratic behavior and mood swings
  • Intense cravings
  • Simultaneous use of multiple substances
  • Significant decline in physical or mental health due to drug use
  • Mental health concerns
  • History of overdoses or relapses
  • Health concerns that could complicate detox

At The Guest House, we provide a recovery-oriented environment to keep patients safe and comfortable as they detox. By removing distractions and temptations, we’ve created a space where guests can receive the care that they need to regain their strength. Our unique blend of holistic and clinical interventions addresses the full scope of an individual’s mental, physical and emotional needs for a transformative experience that allows them to heal old wounds and rediscover a life filled with health, joy and wellness.

What to Expect from Detox

At The Guest House, patient safety and comfort are our number top priorities. To provide a positive, therapeutic experience, we thoroughly assess each patient upon arrival and evaluate their substance abuse history, symptoms, mental health concerns, treatment goals and more. This gives us a better understanding of each patient’s unique needs so we can develop a treatment plan that is right for them. Our detox facility is staffed with a medical and nursing team available 24/7 and adept at managing withdrawal symptoms with compassion, dignity and respect. To ensure optimal ease and well-being, medications are often used throughout detox to wean patients off certain drugs or manage symptoms such as nausea, muscle aches, anxiety or insomnia. Other characteristics of detox at The Guest House include:

For most patients, the average length of stay is between five and 10 days, but this often varies depending on the substances used, frequency of use and whether other addictions are present as well. We understand that detox can be a difficult time and strive to create a relaxing, soothing atmosphere that promotes rest and recovery. Our facility is located on-site in Silver Springs, Florida, allowing us to thoroughly monitor patient progress, and make adjustments as needed. This also ensures that our program is flexible so guests can receive care tailored to their unique needs and won’t feel rushed throughout the process.

What Happens After Detox?

Once patients are stabilized and ready to proceed, they’ll be seamlessly transitioned into our residential care program to embark upon a journey that explores the core of their addiction for deep and meaningful progress. Detox is an essential first step toward sustainable recovery, but physical sobriety isn’t enough to truly heal from addiction. For many individuals, detox is a turning point that signals a desire and willingness to change, while formal treatment provides the necessary skills, tools and solutions they need to break the cycle. To ensure that patients transitioning out of detox can receive the care and support they need throughout the treatment process, we provide multiple levels of care, including:

  • Outpatient program
  • Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
  • Day/night program
  • Residential treatment

Residential care is the most common form of treatment and is especially ideal for those transitioning out of detox. Patients live on-site and are immersed in recovery, where they’ll learn new coping mechanisms, establish healthy relationships, develop strategies for overcoming obstacles and learn more about the driving forces behind their substance abuse. Our treatment plans are deeply customized for each individual patient, providing a specialized blend of traditional and cutting-edge therapies that focus on healing the mind and body from all aspects of addiction. The wide array of therapeutic opportunities we offer allows for a diverse and well-rounded experience that promotes each patient’s physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. At The Guest House, our residential treatment is a 90-day program but is flexible enough to accommodate patients with a variety of needs. We specialize in helping those who struggle with addiction due to trauma or other painful life experiences, but our highly-experienced medical team is uniquely qualified to treat a broad range of substance abuse and mental health disorders. In addition to being Certified Trauma Therapists, all of our therapists are highly trained in numerous clinical, experiential and holistic therapies as well. Among these include neurofeedback and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). We also utilize effective holistic and experiential therapies shown to aid the healing process, including conscious connected breathwork, somatic therapy, psychodrama, meditation and more. Our goal is to provide a carefully curated range of therapeutic modalities to ensure that each patient can find an approach that resonates with them and their unique strengths, beliefs, and experiences. Recovery is a profoundly personal process and that there is no “right way” to heal. Providing guests with a variety of treatment options and giving them the freedom to try new therapies can lead to meaningful progress and powerful breakthroughs.