Medically Monitored Detox
Antidepressant Detox Program in South Florida
The initial step on every journey of addiction recovery is admission to a medically assisted detoxification center. Those who have been abusing drugs or alcohol for any period of time almost always undergo some degree of withdrawal upon abrupt cessation of use. More often than not, the symptoms of withdrawal will lead a person back to substance use before the detoxification process is over. This is part of why entering an inpatient detox program is so important. At The Immersion Program, we provide a comprehensive detox program; one that focuses on more than a safe, pain-free drug and alcohol withdrawal. In addition to providing around-the-clock medical care, we actively prepare our clients for the next appropriate stage of their personal recovery journeys. During antidepressant detox, we conduct an individualized, in-depth evaluation, which helps us determine the length of our clients’ stay, what kind of medical intervention is necessary, and the next step for each client once they become physically stabilized.
If you or someone you love has been suffering from antidepressant dependence, detox is an important initial step, and we are available to help. At The Immersion Program, we effectively treat the physical and psychological symptoms associated with antidepressant withdrawal, making the entire detox process as comfortable as possible from start to finish. We utilize a combination of evidence-based medications, therapeutic practices, and holistic treatment methods to provide the most integrated and effective care available. To learn more about our program of antidepressant detox or to learn more about our multi-staged addiction treatment program as a whole, contact us today.
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What are Antidepressants?
Antidepressants are a type of medication used to treat depressive disorders and a range of other mental health conditions, including social anxiety disorder, dysthymia, and seasonal affective disorder. Someone suffering from depression will experience related symptoms because of a chemical imbalance in their brain; the neurotransmitters that are responsible for mood are somewhat out of whack, making it more difficult for them to naturally feel pleasure, happiness, and satisfaction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13.2 percent of American adults were prescribed an antidepressant medication within the past 30 days. Prescription rates are generally higher among women than they are among men. The CDC also reports prescription rates and use increase with age, stating, “The percentage of antidepressant use increased with age, from 7.9 percent among adults aged 18–39 to 14.4 percent for those aged 40–59 to 19 percent for those aged 60 and over. A similar increase in the use of antidepressant medications by age was observed for men and women. Among men, use was lowest among those aged 18–39 (5.5 percent) and highest among those aged 60 and over (12.8 percent). Among women, use rose from 10.3 percent among those aged 18–39 to 24.3 percent among those aged 60 and over.”
When taken exactly as prescribed, antidepressant medications are often effective and safe to use. Because different types of antidepressants affect people differently, finding the most effective medication can be a process of trial and error. If a person takes a medication they do not need, or if they consistently take an antidepressant medication at a higher dose than recommended, they are at risk of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped suddenly. Fortunately, there are professional detox options readily available to make the withdrawal process as safe and comfortable as possible. Contact The Immersion Program to learn more.
Different Types of Antidepressant Medication
There are several different types of antidepressant medication. These are:
- SSRIs and SNRIs – This type of antidepressant medication is the most commonly prescribed. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain, leading to mood stabilization. Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) work by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, two neurotransmitters that play important roles in stabilizing mood. This type of antidepressant is most commonly used for the treatment of major depressive disorder, mood disorders, and some anxiety disorders.
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) – Tricyclic antidepressants are most commonly used to treat depressive disorders and anxiety disorders. This type of medication was among the first medications used for the treatment of depression, and it is used far less frequently now, predominantly because of associated side effects. However, TCAs might be effective for those who have had little luck with other antidepressant medications.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) – This type of antidepressant medication works by inhibiting the action of monoamine oxidase, a brain enzyme that breaks down “feel-good” chemicals like serotonin. In most cases, an MAOI will only be utilized if a patient has not been receptive to an SSRI or SNRI. This is because this type of antidepressant typically results in more side effects.
- Noradrenaline and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NASSAs) – This type of medication is more often used for the treatment of anxiety disorders than for the treatment of depression, though it can be effective in treating mild or moderate depressive disorders. Serious side effects can occur, including seizures and allergic reactions.
Antidepressant Withdrawal Signs & Symptoms
There are both physical and psychological symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal, though the psychological symptoms are typically more severe.
The Physical Symptoms of Antidepressant Withdrawal
The most common physical symptoms of antidepressant detox include:
- Tiredness and fatigue.
- Flu-like symptoms, which might include low-grade fever, aches and pains, and chills or night sweats.
- Nausea and stomach upset.
- Persistent headaches.
The Psychological Symptoms of Antidepressant Withdrawal
The most common psychological symptoms of antidepressant detox include:
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks.
- Depressed mood (which might be the symptoms of an underlying depressive disorder reemerging).
- Insomnia and nightmares.
- Mood swings are typically marked by irritability and agitation.
Antidepressant Withdrawal Timeline
How long does antidepressant detox last? The answer to this question depends on several factors, including:
- Which type of antidepressant medication was being used?
- The duration the individual was taking the antidepressant.
- Whether or not the person tapers off the medication under the close care of a medical professional.
- How severe the underlying depressive disorder is.
- Whether or not the individual was simultaneously using any other chemical substances.
- Whether or not the individual has any pre-existing health conditions.
As is the case with any other chemical substance, the duration of antidepressant detox can be significantly minimized if a person enters into an inpatient detox program. To learn more about the medical detox program provided by The Immersion Program, reach out to us today.
Is Antidepressant Detox Always Necessary?
Even though the physical symptoms associated with antidepressant withdrawal are rarely severe, the psychological symptoms should be closely monitored in order to prevent complications. There are numerous benefits that go hand-in-hand with inpatient detox, including:
- Clients have access to professional, around-the-clock medical care.
- Clients can relax in comfortable, private bedrooms.
- In addition to medical care, clients can access professional therapeutic care through individual, group, and family therapy sessions.
- Clients have 24/7 access to a fully stocked kitchen and daily, chef-prepared meals, including highly nutritious foods geared towards physical healing.
- Clients work directly with a case manager who helps them develop a personalized aftercare plan, including an immediate transition into the next appropriate level of care.
- If a potentially dangerous symptom develops, clients have access to medication-assisted treatment options.
- Clients are able to find effective alternatives to any antidepressant medications they might have been prescribed.
Treatment Options for Antidepressant Withdrawal
The best treatment option for antidepressant withdrawal is tapering. Tapering refers to slowly reducing the dose of a medication over time, preventing the central nervous system from going into withdrawal and from developing more severe and dangerous symptoms.
Medications Used for Antidepressant Withdrawal
In some cases, another antidepressant medication might be utilized to decrease the severity of withdrawal symptoms. If you are making the switch from one antidepressant medication to another, your prescribing physician might introduce a small dose of the new antidepressant before you have fully weaned off the other medication. If you are completely withdrawing from antidepressant medications as a whole and you have a personal history of mental illness or pre-existing health concerns, your doctor or detox team will develop a plan of action that meets all of your individualized clinical needs.
Long-Term Antidepressant Addiction Recovery
At The Immersion Program, we break our medical detox program down into three distinct stages: evaluation, stabilization, and preparation. Upon admission to our detox program, each client undergoes a detailed and in-depth addiction assessment or evaluation. We ask a series of pertinent questions, including:
- What type of substance/substances were being used, and for how long?
- Have you ever been diagnosed or treated for an underlying mental or physical condition, such as a mental illness or chronic health concern?
- Have you undergone treatment for a substance use disorder in the past?
- How much of the antidepressant medication were you using on a daily basis/what dosage were you taking?
The questions we ask during the initial assessment help our clinical and medical team determine which detox methods are the most appropriate for each unique case. Next, we focus our attention on physical stabilization. Clients can relax in their private or semi-private bedrooms and participate in group workshops and behavioral therapy sessions if they feel up to it. The physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal are treated as soon as they develop, seeing as our team of licensed medical professionals is available 24 hours a day. Our main priority is making the detox process as comfortable as possible. Once physical stabilization has been achieved, clients make a smooth transition into the next appropriate level of clinical care. In most cases, this means transitioning into a residential inpatient treatment center.
Services Provided by Guardian Recovery’s Immersion Program in South Florida
At Guardian Recovery, we believe that medical detox should provide clients with much more than physical stabilization. We believe that every successful detox program lays a solid, lasting foundation for continued success in recovery. We provide a wide range of recovery-related services that thoroughly educate our clients on the ins and outs of continuing care while adequately preparing them for the road ahead.
Services that we provide to each client include:
- In-depth clinical and medical evaluations – Upon admission to our medical detox program, each client undergoes an in-depth evaluation to help our clinical team determine which detox methods will be most beneficial. In the case of prolonged antidepressant abuse, we typically conduct additional assessments over the course of the client’s stay to make sure that no severe psychological symptoms are occurring – symptoms that might require Medication Assisted Treatment.
- Case management services – Every client is assigned an experienced and compassionate case manager, who walks the client through the early recovery process and helps develop a thorough plan for continuing care. Case managers also serve as the main point of contact between the clinical team and the client’s loved ones, keeping them updated on progress and future treatment plans.
- Individual, group, and family therapy – At Guardian Recovery, we sincerely believe that therapeutic intervention should begin during the very first stage of the recovery process. We offer individual therapy sessions at least once a week, group therapy sessions daily, and family therapy sessions whenever possible.
- Medication-assisted treatment and medication management – When it comes to more severe cases of antidepressant withdrawal, certain medications prove to be beneficial. Depending on the unique needs and requirements of a client, our physicians might prescribe a non-narcotic pain reliever, an antidepressant, an anti-anxiety medication, or a safe and non-addictive sleep aid like Melatonin.
- Recovery-related group sessions – Those who are undergoing antidepressant withdrawal are generally not physically incapacitated and have the opportunity to participate in daily recovery-related group sessions. Some of the topics covered include relapse prevention training, the development of healthy coping skills, life skills training, education on the disease model of addiction, exposure to 12-step programs, and an introduction to meditation. None of these group sessions is required, though they are extremely beneficial for individuals transitioning into inpatient rehab.
- Around-the-clock medical care – Our dedication to providing each and every client with a safe, pain-free antidepressant withdrawal is made possible by our team of medical professionals, who are available 24 hours a day to treat physical withdrawal symptoms as soon as they arise.
- Retreat-style amenities – Guardian Recovery is dedicated to client comfort. Our homestyle retreat facility was carefully designed with comfort, relaxation, and tranquility in mind.
Thorough and individualized aftercare planning. Medical detox is only the first step in a multi-phase continuum of clinical care. In order for an individual to stay sober long-term, he or she must transfer into an inpatient treatment facility and undergo more intensive therapeutic intervention for an extended period of time. Case managers help clients develop a personalized aftercare program, which always includes an immediate transition into a drug and alcohol rehab.
Long-term drug addiction recovery is always possible. With an individualized and effective treatment program in place, even the most severe cases of antidepressant dependence can be overcome. Contact us today to learn more or get started with our simple, straightforward admissions process.
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Our Stress-Free Admissions Process
As soon as you decide to call us, our Treatment Advisors begin developing an intake plan. We understand how overwhelming committing to addiction treatment can be in and of itself, and we are dedicated to making the remainder of the process as stress-free as possible for our clients and their loved ones. We conduct an insurance benefit check within minutes, along with a brief pre-assessment to help our clinical team ensure that our antidepressant detox program is the best fit for you. Next, we set to work on developing travel plans and set a date and time for intake.
Begin Your Recovery Journey Today
The Immersion Program provides a licensed, individualized, and integrated detox program to people of all ages who have been struggling with addictive disorders of all types and severities. We offer a step-down clinical care curriculum designed to help our clients transition smoothly from medical detox to the next level of care and eventually back to independent living. We understand how difficult it might seem to choose the best drug and alcohol detox in Florida for your unique personal needs. Fortunately, we are available to help make the decision easier. The moment you contact us, either directly through our website or by phone, you are connected with one of our experienced and compassionate Treatment Advisors. They ask a brief series of questions, ultimately helping you determine the most appropriate level of care for your unique case. If we believe our program is a good fit, we conduct a free, no-obligation insurance benefit check and facilitate local travel to our Delray Beach, Florida treatment center. Contact us today to begin.
