Drug & Alcohol Detox Program
Drug and alcohol detox programs help you safely remove substances from your body. Medical professionals guide you through withdrawal, providing medications and care to keep you comfortable. It’s a critical first step to feel physically better and avoid relapse when cravings are typically extreme.
24/7 Care For Comfortable Withdrawals
Inpatient detox is nothing like going through withdrawals on your own. For drugs like opioids, alcohol, and benzodiazepines (ie. Xanax), withdrawals can be brutal, even fatal. Medications help with symptoms like nausea, insomnia, muscle aches and intense cravings. Care from the 24/7 nurses keeps you hydrated, warm, fed, safe and sane.
- Stop feeling dope sick or hungover
- Removal of daily stressors
- Lack of access to drugs and alcohol when cravings are highest
- Daily therapeutic sessions with Masters-Level therapists
- Seamless transition to residential rehab, if needed
- 24/7 medical supervision and support
What to Expect At Inpatient Detox
The process starts with a detailed medical evaluation to assess your health status and the severity of your withdrawal symptoms, allowing the medical team to understand the types and timing of medications to ensure you are comfortable. During your stay, nurses closely monitor your progress and provide support until you are stable and feeling physically great.
Addiction-Specific Medications
Prescription medications are given to help directly reduce withdrawal symptoms and eliminate cravings.
Comfort & Safety Medications
Medications to relieve withdrawal symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and insomnia, restlessness, muscle pain, headaches and seizures.
Mental Health Therapies
Therapy sessions to address emotional distress, anxiety and depression, which often intensify during withdrawal.
Vital Signs Monitoring
Regular checks of blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature to identify complications early and provide emergency care if needed.
Hydration & Nutrition
Administration of fluids to prevent dehydration and maintain electrolyte balance and specialized diets and supplements to restore nutrient deficiencies.
The detox nurses are the best! They make it so much easier and are such sweet ladies that help you stay strong and got me sober!
I loved the staff in detox - caring, loving and very supportive! I learned different things that I will carry along my recovery process.
I have been to many treatment centers in the past. Sana Lake by far exceeds any expectation. The staff is over the top and cares for you as if you were family. Sana Lake changed my life and gave me a new outlook on my future. Their aftercare is amazing too!
Sana Lake saved my life. I want to personally thank the nurses, therapists, counselors, MCS's, peer support specialists and fantastic cooks. Take that first step and get the help needed to get your life back on track. I highly recommend this world-class organization!
Drug & Alcohol Detox Near St. Louis
People travel from all over the state to find solace at the detox center in Jefferson County, less than an hour west of St. Louis. Nestled on a tranquil lake, it’s a serene environment that offers a much-needed escape from everyday triggers. This peaceful setting allows you to focus entirely on your recovery during the physically challenging detox process and provides a seamless transition to further inpatient or outpatient treatment. Here, the soothing atmosphere and continuous medical support create the space for clarity and stability.
Do I need medical detox?
You can’t get sober without clearing drugs and alcohol from your system. The withdrawal phase is the hardest time physically for your body. Inpatient detox is always a good first step to stay comfortable, safe and sober to be able to make real change. Consider detox if:
Alcohol, Benzodiazepines (ie. Xanax) or opioids (ie. heroin, prescription painkillers) are involved as withdrawal symptoms are intense and can lead to death if attempting without medical support
You've tried to stop on your own before and weren't able to make it through the process, which is much more painful and lasts longer than with medical support
You're planning to start inpatient rehab which will help you evaluate your physical needs as part of the process anyway
Missouri Detox Center: Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding the detox process is the first step to reclaiming your health and happiness. These FAQs answer the most pressing questions but don’t put off calling to get even more answers. There is no obligation or judgment. The person you talk to has been in your shoes.
Why can't I just detox on my own?
There are many benefits to detoxing with professional help:
- Safety: Medical supervision helps prevent severe withdrawal symptoms from escalating into emergencies.
- Comfort: Medications and care are provided to make withdrawal symptoms much, much easier to handle.
- Guidance: Professionals can create a clear plan for your detox journey and what to do afterward so you don’t have to go through withdrawals again.
Detoxing on your own is especially risky for:
- Alcohol and benzodiazepines (like Xanax or Valium) can cause seizures or dangerous heart problems if stopped suddenly without medical support.
- Opioids cause intense nausea, body aches and cravings that make relapse likely if you’re not supported.
Even brief periods of sobriety can lower tolerance, so drinking or using the same amount as usual can lead to an overdose.
During medical detox, healthcare professionals monitor your condition and administer medications to reduce symptoms, preventing complications and making the process more comfortable. They can also offer emotional support to help you through tough moments when cravings hit.
What are withdrawals like?
Withdrawal can be difficult, as your body adjusts to functioning without substances. That said, detoxing at a medical facility is nothing like doing it on your own.
General withdrawal symptoms include:
- Physical Symptoms: Headaches, nausea, sweating, shaking, muscle aches and changes in appetite.
- Emotional Symptoms: Anxiety, depression, irritability and difficulty sleeping.
- Cognitive Symptoms: Poor concentration, memory problems, confusion and intense cravings.
Withdrawals often cause people to feel on edge and prone to relapse, which is why leaving your current environment is best. During the worst day of withdrawal symptoms, everyday tasks may feel impossible. Having medication to make it much more tolerable and staff to get anything you need (including food and hydration) helps you make it through the process without the intense struggle.
What kinds of medication are used during detox?
Medications help ease withdrawal symptoms and keep you comfortable during detox.
Certain medications are specific to the substance being used. For example, short-term methadone or buprenorphine tapers are used for opioid withdrawal to lessen cravings and manage pain. Certain medications to prevent seizures and reduce anxiety are only given for alcohol withdrawal.
More general medications might include:
- Anti-nausea Medications: Ondansetron (Zofran) or promethazine (Phenergan) help reduce nausea and vomiting.
- Pain Relievers: Non-opioid options like extra strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) manage body aches and headaches.
- Anticonvulsants: Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise) or carbamazepine (Tegretol) can reduce the risk of seizures and ease anxiety.
- Sleep Aids: Trazodone (Desyrel, Oleptro) or hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril) may be used to help with insomnia and agitation.
- Prevent complications: Beta-blockers, like propranolol (Inderal), help control elevated heart rate and high blood pressure as needed and antipsychotics like haloperidol (Haldol) can help alcohol delirium tremens (DTs) or hallucinations from stimulant withdrawal as needed
The medications used vary based on your specific needs. Your medical team will monitor you 24/7 and add, subtract or change the dosing of medications as needed throughout the process.
Do withdrawals get worse if you've already detoxed before?
For those who have previously experienced withdrawal, subsequent episodes can be more severe, particularly with alcohol or benzodiazepines.
This is known as the kindling effect, where repeated withdrawal episodes increase the intensity of symptoms, sometimes leading to seizures or hallucinations. This happens because each withdrawal damages the brain’s regulatory mechanisms, making it less capable of handling the abrupt absence of substances.
People with a history of multiple withdrawals may face higher risks, including:
- Prolonged Symptoms: Symptoms may last longer and be more physically demanding.
- Increased Anxiety: Heightened anxiety or panic attacks can occur during subsequent withdrawals.
- Rapid Onset: Symptoms often appear more quickly and peak earlier.
For these reasons, it’s important to work closely with healthcare professionals and have a solid treatment plan that includes gradual tapering and ongoing support.
Can I do detox only?
Detox is a crucial first step, but is not enough to maintain long-term recovery. Detox addresses the physical aspect of substance dependence by clearing your system of drugs or alcohol. However, it doesn’t tackle the behavioral, emotional and psychological reasons that contribute to addiction.
Rehabilitation, whether through inpatient or outpatient treatment, provides therapy, education and peer support to help you understand the deeper reasons why you turn to substance use and develop strategies to manage triggers. These programs create a foundation for healthy living and a support network that detox alone cannot provide.
After going through the process of detox, you’ll want to keep your sobriety. You won’t want to end up having to detox again. It’s worth taking a little extra time to ensure you fully tackle the underlying issues.
What is the timeline for withdrawal symptoms?
The timeline for withdrawal symptoms depends on the substance and individual factors like how long you’ve been using, the amount consumed and your overall health.
- Alcohol: Typically begins within 6-12 hours of the last drink, peak around 24-72 hours and gradually resolve over a week.
- Opioids: Begins 8-24 hours after the last dose, peaks at 48-72 hours and can last for up to 10 days.
- Benzodiazepine: May not appear for 1-4 days and can persist for weeks.
- Cocaine: Can start within hours of the last use, peak in 1-3 days and gradually improve over 7-10 days.
- Methamphetamine: Initial symptoms start within 24 hours of the last dose, peak within 2-4 days and resolve over 1-2 weeks.
Each substance follows a distinct timeline, but here are some general patterns to expect:
- Initial Symptoms: Anxiety, agitation, and cravings typically begin first.
- Peak Symptoms: During the peak phase, severe symptoms like nausea, muscle aches, and insomnia are often strongest.
- Resolution: Symptoms gradually decrease but may leave lingering effects like fatigue.
Everyone’s experience is different, so working with healthcare professionals helps you better understand your unique timeline.
Which substances have the most severe withdrawal symptoms?
Some substances cause more intense withdrawal symptoms than others due to their impact on the brain and body. Here are some of the most severe:
- Alcohol: Sudden withdrawal can lead to life-threatening seizures and delirium tremens (DTs), which involves confusion, hallucinations and high fever.
- Opioids (ie. heroin, oxycodone): Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and intense cravings can be extremely uncomfortable but are rarely life-threatening.
- Benzodiazepines (ie. Xanax, Valium): Sudden withdrawal can cause seizures, agitation and panic attacks. Gradual tapering is recommended.
- Stimulants (ie. cocaine, methamphetamine): Withdrawal often leads to severe fatigue, depression and agitation.
Withdrawal experiences vary, but these substances are critical to detox under medical supervision to minimize complications.
What complications can happen during withdrawal?
Withdrawal can be challenging and sometimes dangerous if not done under medical supervision.
General complications of withdrawal include:
- Seizures: Common in alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal.
- Dehydration: From nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Hallucinations: Visual or auditory hallucinations may occur with alcohol and stimulant withdrawal.
- Suicidal thoughts: Severe depression and suicidal thoughts can arise.
- Overdose: Cravings are most intense during withdrawal and using too much to get rid of the physical sickness can lead to accidental overdose.
Seeking a medical detox facility ensures you are safe and monitored 24/7 by both medical and mental health professionals to prevent complications before they escalate into emergencies.
Allison B.Google