Drug & Alcohol Detox
A Vital First Step

Medically monitored drug & alcohol detox is often a necessary and vital first step on an individual’s addiction recovery journey. Withdrawal from any substance used habitually can be both physically and mentally agonizing. This makes quitting difficult no matter how much a person wants to stop. At CuraSouth, men and women experience their drug or alcohol withdrawal in a safe, comfortable, secure and closely monitored environment. Appropriate medications are administered by experienced medical professionals to ease the symptoms of withdrawal and guarantee a safe detox. Beyond the physical stabilization process, clients at CuraSouth will benefit from a world-class treatment program. Our team of dedicated medical and clinical professionals has combined decades of experience in the fields of substance abuse and mental health to develop a comprehensive medical detox program that addresses not only the physical, but also the mental, emotional and spiritual implications of active addiction. CuraSouth’s detox program helps individuals form a firm foundation on which to launch their recovery journey.

The integrated clinical care we provide goes far beyond most traditional hospital drug & alcohol detox programs and state-funded detox facilities. Other programs tend to offer an impersonal, routine approach to detoxification. Patients at these facilities are physically stabilized, then sent on their way with little oversight as to the individual’s path forward. But at CuraSouth we understand that medical detox is merely the first step on each client’s recovery journey — a journey that will ultimately change their lives. We work hard to prepare each of our clients for continued success in sobriety by introducing them to a range of recovery-related resources, emotional tools and mental health treatment offerings, which will help propel them forward. We help each client come up with a comprehensive treatment plan following drug & alcohol detox and help arrange the next steps. We’re happy to help our client’s get connected with longer term care — either in a residential treatment facility, or intensive outpatient program. CuraSouth has meaningful relationships with many treatment providers in the Southeastern United States and across the country. CuraSouth is also part of Guardian Recovery Network, which operates clinically sophisticated facilities in Colorado, Florida, New Hampshire, New Jersey as well as rehab centers in Maine. At CuraSouth, it is our mission to help smooth the transition from physical detox, into active recovery. To learn more about our drug & alcohol detox programs contact us today.

Substance Abuse & Dependence
Signs & Symptoms

Substance abuse and dependence are currently among the most significant public health threats faced by Americans of every age and in every demographic. Because alcohol consumption and recreational drug use are such integral parts of American culture, it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether or not someone is in need of professional intervention. According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), there is a list of diagnostic criteria when it comes to professionally diagnosing a substance abuse disorder.

The criteria for diagnosing substance abuse disorder are as follows:

• Larger amounts of the substance than intended are used, and the substance is used for a longer period of time than intended
• There have been repeated attempts to cut back or quit, coupled with an inability to do so for any significant length of time
• A great deal of time is spent obtaining the substance of choice, using this substance and recovering from its effects
• Substance use is prioritized, and activities that used to be enjoyed are given up
• The person experiences physical and psychological symptoms associated with substance use, but continues to use regardless
• The individual experiences intense and overwhelming alcohol or drug cravings
• Personal obligations and responsibilities are partially or completely neglected
• The person experiences interpersonal problems directly linked to substance use
• The individual engages in risk-taking behaviors as a result of substance use, like driving while intoxicated or blacking out regularly in unfamiliar places
• A physical tolerance is developed over time, meaning that more of the chemical substance is required in order for the same results to be produced.

If an individual is experiencing two or three of these criteria, they are suffering from a mild substance abuse disorder. Meeting four or five is indicative of a moderate substance abuse disorder, and six or more indicates a severe substance abuse disorder. No matter how much an addiction has progressed over time, CuraSouth is available to help. Our drug & alcohol detox programs may be the first step toward freedom from addiction.

Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal
Signs & Symptoms

The signs and symptoms associated with drug and alcohol withdrawal vary significantly based on the type of substance and the severity of abuse.

In most cases, drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:

• Uncomfortable physical sensations 
• Sleep-related issues
• Mood disturbances
• Intense cravings

The most common types of withdrawal we treat & their related symptoms include:

• Opioid detox – Symptoms of opioid withdrawal often mimic the symptoms of a bad flu, and include gastrointestinal distress, fever, chills, profuse sweating, runny nose, watery eyes, muscle aches, restless legs and insomnia. Symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal are often treated with the opioid antagonist medications buprenorphine and naltrexone (Subutex).
• Alcohol detox – Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening and must be closely overseen by a team of medical professionals. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms might include severe anxiety, agitation, body tremors, hallucinations, delusions and — in extreme cases — seizures. A mild benzodiazepine taper is used to help the body safely withdrawal from alcohol.
• Stimulant detox – Symptoms associated with stimulant detox are largely psychological in nature. They include anxiety and panic attacks, depression, suicidal ideation and paranoia. Insomnia and general physical discomfort is also common.
• Benzodiazepine detox – Like alcohol withdrawal, benzodiazepine detox can be life threatening and lead to seizures. Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms include irritability, anxiety, panic attacks, hand tremors, sweating, difficulty with concentration, confusion, memory problems, dry retching, nausea, heart palpitations, headache, muscle pain, hallucinations and sleep disturbance.

No matter what substance you or your loved one has been abusing, medically monitored drug & alcohol detox is a necessary first step on the lifelong road of recovery. Symptoms associated with withdrawal can be extremely unpredictable, and can result in life-threatening complications unless closely monitored and effectively treated. To get started or to learn more about our individualized drug and alcohol detox programs contact us today.

Other Detox Programs We Offer

In addition to treating symptoms associated with opioid, alcohol, stimulant and benzodiazepine detox, we cover the following:

• Heroin detox
• Fentanyl detox
• Prescription painkiller detox
• Prescription stimulant detox
• Cocaine detox
• Methamphetamine detox
• Marijuana detox

The Addiction Treatment Services We Provide

At CuraSouth we offer a range of addiction services as part of our comprehensive program. We believe that medical detox should focus on more than physical stabilization — we believe that in order for our clients to thoroughly heal and stay motivated, they must be equipped with the life skills and coping mechanisms needed to succeed in the next chapter of their recovery journeys.

Addiction services we provide include:

• Individualized and thorough addiction assessments
• A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
• Individual and group therapy sessions
• Family therapy sessions
• Case management services
• Aftercare planning
• Relapse prevention training
• A comprehensive introduction to the 12-step method

Our Treatment Methods

At CuraSouth we only utilize evidence-based detox methods, including Medication Assisted Treatment, holistically-based methodologies and intensive therapeutic intervention. Because detox is not one-size-fits-all, and because symptoms vary drastically on a person-to-person basis, we conduct an in-depth evaluation upon admission that helps our medical team determine the best course of action.

The proven methods we employ include:

• Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) – In the case of opioid withdrawal we frequently use Suboxone or Subutex to help reduce psychological drug cravings while alleviating the more severe physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal. In the case of alcohol withdrawal, we often use a mild benzodiazepine, such as Librium or Serax, to safely ease the central nervous system into sobriety.
• The use of over-the-counter medications – We frequently prescribe ibuprofen, acetaminophen and other non-narcotic, over-the-counter pain relievers. We also prescribe non-addictive sleep aids and anti-nausea medications depending on the symptoms that an individual client is experiencing.
• Proven holistic treatment methods – We offer a range of holistic therapies that have been proven to serve an important function during the withdrawal process. For example, acupuncture has been shown to alleviate alcohol and drug cravings, and  massage therapy has been shown to alleviate physical withdrawal symptoms.
• Tapering – In some instances, quitting cold turkey is simply not an option. Some of our clients are slowly weaned off of their drug of choice under the careful supervision of a medical staff member.

Begin Your Journey of Recovery Today

At CuraSouth we have developed a simple admissions process to help you or your loved one begin the road to recovery as soon as possible. The moment you or your loved one picks up the phone and gives us a call, we begin developing a stress-free intake plan. First we begin by conducting a brief pre-assessment over the phone, which includes a series of pertinent questions. We might ask which types of chemical substances were being abused, the severity and duration of the substance abuse disorder and whether or not any underlying mental health conditions have been previously diagnosed. The pre-assessment helps our medical team determine which treatment options are going to be the most effective for each individual case. Next, we look into potential coverage options, which might include health insurance coverage, self-pay or private pay. At CuraSouth we work closely with most major regional and national health insurance providers in order to make our services as accessible as possible, and we offer free, no obligation benefit checks to those who might need clarification. Finally we set a date and a time for intake and help arrange safe and reliable transportation to our facility. If you or someone you love has been suffering from a substance abuse disorder of any kind, CuraSouth is available to help 24/7. Contact us today and get started.