Detox from any drug can potentially harm the addict. Symptoms from withdrawal during detox, especially if an addict returns to detox many times from relapses to drug abuse can become stronger each time. That is where supervised detox programs come in. Iowa has centers available to addicts in need of addiction recovery, some have a medically supervised inpatient program, while there are alternative treatment centers such as holistic detox programs. All detox programs are designed to help the addict in search of recovery find a way to detoxify their body. It is up to the addict to carefully research and find the program that suits their needs best. The internet can assist in finding the right detox treatment centers. Some centers provide an inpatient program, while others provide an outpatient program of only a few hours a day.

Medically supervised centers in Iowa usually provide a medication or combination of medications to ease the withdrawal symptoms of detox. Rapid detox provides medications that strip the body of the toxins and drug residues left in the body’s’ nervous system. Both systems of detox can provide a quicker and less painful return to being drug free. Detoxification at alternative drug detox programs may use herbal therapies, saunas, and acupuncture to curb the cravings and pain associated with the detoxification process. Not all detox programs are covered by health insurance. Insurance booklets may have information that outlines the type of detox programs they will accept and pay for. Iowa offers financial assistance to those who qualify for aid.

Inpatient programs of several weeks up to eight months have been shown by studies to provide the largest margin of protection to the individual who is seeking a drug free life after detox. These programs offer detox, then drug rehab. Many addicts think that detoxification is drug rehab and vice versa, but this is not so. Detoxification, whether it be alcohol detox or opiate detox is only the first step to drug rehab. Rehabilitation seeks to strengthen the tools and goals learned while in detox. Treatment centers may or may not have a continuing drug rehab on the same grounds of the detox center. If not, a recovering addict will be referred to another center or given information from the staff on where to find the best continued care. Tools learned in detox and rehab seek to teach the recovering addict how to avoid situations that may trigger cravings for the drug he or she had been abusing. What to do when meeting with old friends who may still be abusing, how to cope with smells or sights that may cause a trigger are all taught as part of rehabilitation.

For any detox program to be successful, the recovering addict must be determined to follow through with the tools learned while in addiction recovery. Entering drug rehabilitation and keeping a firm resolve will drop the risk of relapse immensely. Whether the addict chooses outpatient or inpatient treatment, as long as the recovering addict is serious about removing drugs or alcohol from their life is the keystone of the entire process.