Executive Drug Detox
Depending on the extent of drug use, length of addiction, and type of drugs abused, it may be necessary for the patient to “detoxify.” For our executive clients, managing the effects of withdrawal is critically important, to prevent unnecessary discomfort.
The addict’s body has adapted to the constant barrage of chemicals, and may react severely when they are absent. The physical symptoms of withdrawal are similar to influenza, only much more intense. Bone pain, restlessness, vomiting, chills, constipation and diarrhea are common bodily responses. These symptoms can be mitigated with relatively new pharmaceutical treatments that can ease the body’s readjustment to its original drug-free state.
Although each client’s situation is unique, this aspect of treatment is usually completed within the first 7 to 10 days.
In this phase of treatment, the only objective is to allow the abused substance
to work its way out of the patient’s body, while minimizing pain and
potential side effects. Once the body is cleared of toxic chemicals, patients
will experience a gradual return of mental clarity. This process alone,
however, will not provide a stable foundation for recovery.
During the patient’s continuing participation in treatment (which generally lasts between 30 and 60 days), the body will continually undergo both physical and emotional changes. The elements of treatment detailed on the previous page all function in concert to bring about the desired outcome: a healthy new life that can withstand the stresses of a busy and demanding career, while maintaining a clean and sober mind and body.