Minnesota Detox Centers

What Is Drug Detox in Minnesota?

Drug detox in Minnesota is the process of removing harmful substances from the body under expert supervision. The modern approach to medical detox uses medication to ensure patients detox safely.

Some patients may end their rehabilitation treatment after detox. However, drug and alcohol detox is not a substitute for substance abuse treatment to achieve long-term recovery. It is the first step in treating substance use disorder. Effective treatment must follow detox to ensure recovery on the physical and mental fronts. 

In Minnesota, all facilities offering detoxification treatment for substance abuse must obtain licensure from the Department of Human Services (DHS). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also provides resources on substance abuse treatment in Minnesota. 

How Long Does it Take to Detox from Drugs in Minnesota?

Drug detox is a process, and the length of time it takes to remove addictive substances from an individual depends on some factors, including:

• The substance of abuse and the level of dependence
• Multiple substance abuse
• The significance of withdrawal symptoms
• Means of substance administration
• Underlying medical conditions
  
  

The Substance of Abuse and the Level of Dependence

Addictive substances affect the body differently. For instance, SAMHSA's report stipulates an average of four to seven days for heroin detox and several weeks for marijuana detox. Again, persons dependent on addictive substances have an extended stay in rehab. Usually, such individuals have large deposits of addictive substances within their system, making detox longer.

Multiple Substance Abuse

Persons chemically dependent on more than one addictive substance stay longer in detox than patients dependent on one substance. In principle, the drug detox center prioritizes the addictive substance and treats them sequentially based on the intensity of the withdrawal symptom. Consequently, such patients require constant medical and nursing observation leading to an extended stay at the drug detox center.

The Significance of Withdrawal Symptoms

Drug detox affects patients differently. Some persons have tolerable symptoms and do not require constant monitoring or medical intervention, while others experience intense side effects during detox needing round-the-clock care. Therefore, patients who experience severe withdrawal symptoms during detoxification would have a lengthier stay in a drug detox program than their contemporaries with mild to moderate symptoms.

Means of Drug Use

Some individuals administer addictive substances orally, by inhalation, or intravenously. Drug substances inhaled or injected into the body circulate the blood faster than those swallowed. Also, it is not uncommon for persons who administer addictive substances intravenously or inhalation to present several acute medical conditions during detox. Therefore, the detox treatment modalities differ for persons who use addictive substances intravenously or inhaling. They require a lengthier stay in detox than a person who administers drugs orally.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Patients with multiple medical conditions during detox need specialized care and constant monitoring. The SAMHSA recommends a comprehensive and phased treatment for the medical and mental condition alongside the detox process to prevent future relapse. Consequently, patients with co-occurring medical conditions on admission would have a prolonged stay in rehab treatment than their counterparts without these conditions. 

How Long Does It Take To Detox From Alcohol in Minnesota?

According to the SAMHSA treatment episodes report, the average length of stay for persons 18 years and older who completed an alcohol detox in Minnesota is four days. However, in practice, other factors determine the timeframe for alcohol detox. For instance, age, weight, and gender may influence how long a patient stays in detox treatment. Also other relevant factors include abusing multiple drugs and the existence of underlying medical or mental health conditions.

The Detoxification Process at a Minnesota Drug Detox Center

Detoxification aims to clear addictive chemical substances from the body of a user. Therefore, all detoxification treatments in a Minnesota drug detox center follow the following phases to ensure patients receive the best treatment adapted to their needs.

Evaluation

During the evaluation, the clinical staff at the drug detox center conducts an interview to gain insight into the patient's medical history, medical and mental health conditions, and past substance abuse treatment. They collect the patient's blood sample to measure the concentration of addictive substances in the patient's bloodstream to determine the best course of treatment after detox. In essence, evaluation forms the basis for the substance abuse treatment plan, as the drug detox center personalizes the treatment to suit the patient's needs.

Stabilization

Stabilization involves taking a patient from acute intoxication to a stable substance-free state by using medication and other mental and social therapies to manage acute side effects. Stabilization aims to avert any uncomfortable and painful symptoms a patient may experience during detox. To ensure the efficacy of the treatment plan and manage any complications that may arise during the stabilization phase, clinical staff constantly monitor patients throughout detoxification. 

In addition, the medical staff enlightens patients on what to expect during treatment and their role in preventing a relapse. In some instances, the drug detox center involves the patient's family members or the patient's personally approved support group during the stabilization phase of detox.

Withdrawal Symptoms of Detox

Withdrawal symptoms appear when a person with high dependency suddenly discontinues using addictive substances. The clinical presentation of addictive substances varies per individual; therefore, withdrawal symptoms may range from mild aches and discomfort to fatal conditions.

Alcohol

A person undergoing an alcohol detox may likely experience mild withdrawal symptoms during detoxification, including headaches, anxiety, restlessness, agitation, fatigue, mood changes, heart palpitations, abnormal breathing, lack of appetite, impaired memory, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. More severe side effects from an alcohol detox include tremors, sweating, elevated blood pressure and heart rate, hypersensitivity to light and sound, hallucinations, delirium, high fever, delusions, and seizures. 

Heroin and Other Opiates

It is common for persons detoxing from opioids to experience anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, incessant yawning, runny nose, watery eyes, body aches, sweating, goosebumps, and abdominal cramps following an opioid detox. More acute withdrawal symptoms include tremors and muscle spasms, rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, fever, hallucinations, and seizures.

Sedative-Hypnotics

Slurred speech, restlessness, depression, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, panic attacks, blurred vision, sweating, tremors, concentration problems, heart palpitations, muscle pains, sensitivity to light and noise, loss of appetite, nausea, insomnia, and seizures are the known withdrawal symptoms associated with a sedative-hypnotic detox.

Stimulants

Mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms from a stimulant detox include depression, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, chills, body aches, slowed speech, concentration problems, increased appetite, abdominal cramps, and unpleasant dreams. More intense side effects from a stimulant detox include severe dehydration, dulled senses, slowed heart rate, insomnia, drug cravings, paranoia, impaired memory, hallucinations, delusions, and suicidal thoughts.

Inhalants

Depending on the inhalant of dependence, the known withdrawal symptoms from its detox include depression, weakness, restlessness, dizziness, anxiety, severe headaches, runny nose, teary eyes, chills, hand tremors, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, insomnia, rapid pulse, mood swings, poor memory, mood swings, seizures, severe hallucination, and intense cravings for the inhalant of abuse.

Nicotine

Nicotine addiction comes from cigarette smoking. Persons chemically dependent on nicotine may experience withdrawal symptoms during detoxification, including anxiety, depression, headaches, rapid eye movement during sleep, and mood swings. Other symptoms include increased appetite, irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, sore throat, nasal drip, weight gain, insomnia, constipation, and intense nicotine cravings.

Marijuana and Hashish 

The most frequent withdrawal symptoms from abstaining from marijuana and hashish after active substance dependence include restlessness, irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbance, agitation, headaches, and lack of appetite. Other symptoms for persons with a heavier consumption of marijuana and hashish include tremors, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, elevated heart rate, stomach pains, depression, fever, and chills.

Anabolic Steroids 

Detox from a performance enhancement drug can result in adverse side effects, including headaches, depression, lethargy, insomnia, vomiting, nausea, acne, severe aggressiveness, and difficulty concentrating. Others include urinary tract infection, skin blistering, swelling of the hands and feet, joint pain, muscle aches, abdominal pains, weight loss, bladder irritability, decreased sex drive, and steroid cravings.

Hallucinogens

Common physical withdrawal symptoms following a hallucinogenic detox include the inability to feel pain, memory loss, respiratory failure, blurred vision, speech impairment, dilated pupils, rapid breathing, seizures, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and dizziness. Other side effects include hallucination, mood swings, irritability, confusion, panic attacks, paranoia, depression, amnesia, and suicidal thoughts. 

Ecstasy

High body temperature, substance cravings, severe muscle cramps, renal failure, dehydration, depression, paranoia, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, loss of appetite, insomnia, irritability, confusion, fatigue, and anxiety are the common side effects following an ecstasy detox.

Ketamine and PCP (Phencyclidine)

Potential side effects from the abrupt discontinuance of ketamine and PCP include depression, agitation, fatigue, nausea, increased appetite, reduced respiratory function, violence, rage, tremors, hearing loss, loss of motor skills, hallucinations, and delusions.

Can You Detox at Home in Minnesota?

Yes, anyone can detox at home in Minnesota. However, as tempting as this is, it is potentially dangerous. Home detox involves abrupt cessation of drug use at home, also known as quitting cold turkey.

Home detox is the least effective method of attaining sobriety. The setting for detox should be medically and mentally appropriate for the patient, which home detox does not provide. Furthermore, home detox fails to address the underlying conditions of the individual. Worse still, home detox has a higher rate of resulting in a medical emergency or relapse. Therefore, detoxing in a center where rehab specialists can provide continual support is safer. 

What is Ambulatory Detox in Minnesota? 

Ambulatory detox is an outpatient treatment program for persons with substance dependency. Individuals report for drug and alcohol detox treatment for several hours a day and return home. Licensed practitioners typically perform ambulatory detox in an office or the patient's home.

Ambulatory detox is a safe alternative to home detox. However, not every patient is suitable for an ambulatory detox. Ambulatory detox works best if a patient meets all of the following conditions.

• The patient has mild to moderate substance dependence
• The patient has a short history of substance dependence
• There are no underlying medical or mental health issues
• The patient lives in a stable and supportive substance-free environment
• There is a reliable means of reaching the center daily

Benefits of Ambulatory Detox

• It is a cost-effective option to attain sobriety
• Patients can immediately apply lessons learned in rehab in the real world
• Patients can continue with their daily routine while receiving treatment
• It is flexible, especially when combined with outpatient rehab
• It involves the patient's loved ones in the rehab process

What Is Rapid Detox?

Rapid detox is the swift elimination of drug and alcoholic substances from the body within a short period, typically within a few hours. Medical practitioners place the patient under sedatives while using medication to clear addictive substances from the patient's system.

The purpose of rapid detox is to circumvent withdrawal symptoms patients experience during a normal detox. It also aims to take the patient from acute substance dependence to a substance-free state within a few hours. 

The Dangers of Rapid Detox

Despite the speed, rapid detox is risky and unsafe. Firstly, it does not provide a cure to substance addiction or treat any underlying health condition of the patient. Again, rapid detox has known negative side effects, including renal failure, heart attack, liver failure, respiratory failure, irregular cardiac function, depression, paranoia, suicidal ideation, delirium, relapse, substance overdose, and coma.

Rapid Detox is Expensive

Rapid detox takes place in a hospital-based setting, requiring patient admission. The patient bears the cost of medication, anesthesia, and intensive care, making it a costly option to attain a substance-free state. Furthermore, insurance companies consider rapid detox medically unnecessary and do not cover it.

Steps After Minnesota Detox 

Detox is the beginning of addiction treatment. After detoxing in Minnesota, patients have the following options to continue with their substance abuse treatment program to sustain their sobriety:

• Inpatient treatment program
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Outpatient treatment program
• Sober living program

Inpatient Treatment Program

After detox, patients can move into an inpatient treatment facility for substance abuse. Inpatient treatment programs offer 24-hours monitoring and supervision for substance abuse in a highly structured, stable, and peer-supported environment. Patients reside within the treatment facility while receiving intensive and specialized treatment for substance abuse.

Inpatient treatment programs vary in length according to the patient's needs. However, irrespective of the patient's length of stay, patients can expect the facility to provide individual and group counseling sessions, medication, therapy, support group meetings, expressive therapies, physical and wellness classes, and relapse prevention training.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

PHPs offer several hours of intensive and structured substance abuse treatment daily in a hospital-based setting but allow the patient to return home after treatment daily. Ideal for patients who do not require 24-hour hours care, PHP offers patients skills building and self-awareness training, medication, family therapy, counseling, and support group sessions.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

IOP offers intensive substance abuse treatment for several hours a day throughout the week, allowing patients to return home after daily treatment. IOP offers clients group therapy, counseling, support group sessions, case management, medication management, and educational programs to help patients maintain sobriety. IOP best suits persons with mild to substance addiction, living in a substance-free environment and needs to continue with a career, family, or educational obligations.

Outpatient Treatment Program

Although less restrictive than IOP, the outpatient program offers a highly structured, effective, and flexible option for substance abuse treatment after a drug and alcohol detox. Patients receive daily treatment in a residential facility or hospital and return homes, allowing them to continue with work and school obligations. Outpatient treatment programs offer a wide range of services, including drug abuse education, counseling, support group sessions, life skills training, relapse prevention training, and therapies. Patients without underlying medical conditions and a supportive substance-free living environment may subscribe to outpatient treatment programs after detox.

Sober Living Program

Sober living houses serve persons with substance abuse disorder by providing safe, structured, ongoing support and substance-free accommodation for individuals after a drug and alcohol detox. Although sober living homes do not offer rehabilitation treatment services, residents must commit to attending house meetings, support group sessions, counseling, and therapy while living in the facility. Sober living home also offers life skills training and relapse prevention strategies to equip residents for independent living.

Substance Abuse Detox Near Me in Minnesota

Are you or a loved one struggling with alcohol or drug addiction? You can get help for substance abuse disorder in Minnesota. You can find a detox treatment center near you using the FastTracker service. In addition, the Department of Human Services offers an up-to-date database of all licensed detox treatment programs in Minnesota.

Furthermore, you can obtain information on detox centers close to you by calling the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline at (800) 662-435. Also, SAMHSA offers an online treatment center locator where you can access licensed and approved drug and alcohol detox centers close to you. The service provides the contact details and location of detox centers close to you.