Emergency Detox for Alcohol and Drug Addiction in Sugar Land, Texas
Individuals struggling with various forms of substance abuse can experience withdrawal symptoms which are quite distressing and may need emergency care. Whether it’s an addiction to alcohol, opioids, or recreational drugs, the expert team at Mercy Emergency Room in Sugar Land, Texas offers compassionate, personalized care and to help you or a loved one safely undergo a detoxification process and minimize withdrawal symptoms.
What are Withdrawal Symptoms?
When habitual alcohol or drug users significantly reduce or completely avoid consumption, their brains and bodies do not receive the substance causing them to experience one or more withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms vary in both severity and duration based on various factors.
Common Symptoms Include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating and chills
- Muscle aches
- Tremors
- Anxiety and depression
- Insomnia
- Irritability and mood swings
- Seizures (in severe cases)
Emergency Care can Avoid Complications
Symptoms may lead to complications such as extreme dehydration that may prove dangerous, and in the worst cases opiate withdrawal can result in cardiac arrhythmias, strokes, or seizures that can cause major health complications and lead to long-term or permanent damage.
Withdrawal symptoms of addictive drugs can result in severe and possibly life-threatening complications. Sedative-hypnotics pose particularly dangerous withdrawal symptoms, and this class of drugs includes alcohol and benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax. The most serious withdrawal symptoms of sedatives include seizures and coma, either of which may be fatal.
Withdrawal symptoms from opiates such as heroin and morphine and opioids such as hydrocodone (Lortab), oxycodone (Percocet, OxyContin) and hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Palladone) are less life-threatening, but may present as a severe case of flu.
If withdrawal symptoms from addiction to alcohol or recreative drugs are severe and you have developed physical dependence on the substance, you have reached a crisis point and you should seek help. Trying to manage or quit on your own can be dangerous.
The Benefits of Seeking Help in an Emergency Room
Seeking help from an ER such as Mercy ER is essential for several reasons:
Immediate Medical Attention: We deliver rapid medical interventions for individuals with severe withdrawal symptoms. Our physicians have specific experience in managing detoxification and can ensure patient safety and appropriate care.
Monitoring and Assessment: We closely monitor patients’ vital signs, hydration levels, and overall condition to ensure their safety throughout withdrawal. This continuous monitoring is critical, particularly for substances with potentially life-threatening withdrawal effects.
Management with medication: You may receive medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms and ensure a safer detox process. Our team can determine the appropriate medications and dosages based on the individual’s needs.
Managing Complications: Withdrawal symptoms can sometimes lead to complications, such as seizures or severe dehydration. The ER team can promptly address these issues, reducing the risk of further health problems.
Emotional Support: Withdrawal symptoms can impact patients emotionally. Our ER staff provide compassionate care with emotional support, reassurance, and encouragement throughout detox.
Detox Treatment in Sugar Land, Texas
Mercy Emergency Room is well staffed and equipped to handle emergency situations due to withdrawal symptoms and drug overdose. Patients undergo effective detoxification with monitoring and life-support systems when needed. Our board-certified physicians and experienced nurses deal with any medical complications that may arise and have access to the latest medications to counteract withdrawal symptoms.
We offer a range of detox treatment options to individuals seeking help for substance abuse. We often collaborate with addiction treatment centers so that patients can transition to more comprehensive rehabilitation programs.
Our treatment program typically involves the following steps:
Evaluation and Assessment: Upon arriving at the ER, patients are thoroughly assessed to determine the extent of addiction and the presence of underlying medical conditions. This helps us tailor a personalized approach.
Medically Supervised Detox: Certain patients have potentially severe withdrawal symptoms for which medically supervised detox is recommended. Our ER staff can administer medications as needed to manage withdrawal effects safely.
Emotional Support and Counseling: Patients undergoing detoxification receive emotional support and counseling along with medical care. Our staff can provide necessary support and connect patients with appropriate resources.
Further Care Programs: Once our detoxification process is complete, patients are encouraged to transition to a rehab or addiction treatment center. We can facilitate this process and provide referrals to reputable facilities.
Alcohol & Opioid Withdrawal
If you or anyone you know is experiencing severe alcohol or opioid withdrawal symptoms or complications related to abuse, reach out to Mercy Emergency Room for immediate medical attention and detoxification in Sugar Land, Texas. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening and severe opioid withdrawal symptoms may require emergency treatment. Our freestanding ER is open 24/7 and is equipped to provide the necessary medical care and supervision for a safe and effective detox process.
How is Alcohol and Opioid Detoxification managed in the Emergency Room?
Assessment: When a person arrives at the ER with withdrawal symptoms or related complications, our emergency physicians rush in to assess the individual's condition. This usually involves taking a medical history, performing a physical examination, and checking vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature.
Monitoring: If symptoms are severe patients may need to undergo detox in a controlled environment where they will be monitored closely. This monitoring may continue for several hours to days, depending on the individual's condition.
Medication: In some cases, medication may be administered to manage withdrawal symptoms. Common medications used for alcohol withdrawal include benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and antiseizure drugs while common medications for opioid withdrawal include buprenorphine, methadone, or clonidine. The choice of medication and dosage will depend on the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Fluids and Nutritional Support: Individuals in detox may be dehydrated and malnourished, so intravenous (IV) fluids and nutrition may be provided to help restore electrolyte balance and provide essential nutrients.
Psychological Support: Emotional and psychological support may also be provided, as withdrawal can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Support from medical staff, counselors, or social workers may be available.
Seizure Prevention: For individuals at high risk of alcohol withdrawal-related seizures, medication may be given to prevent seizures.
Additional Treatment: If there are any complications or medical issues related to alcohol or opioid abuse, such as liver damage, pancreatitis or infection, these will also be addressed in the ER.
Transition to a Treatment Program: Once the acute phase of alcohol detox is managed, the individual may be referred to a substance abuse treatment program or other appropriate care. It's essential to continue treatment and support for alcohol or opioid use disorder to prevent relapse.
Though one can safely detox from alcohol or opioids under the care of a primary care physician or at a specialized detox center, it is crucial for those experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, complications, or medical emergencies, to seek help in the ER for their safety and well-being. Mercy Emergency Room in Sugar Land, Texas is open round the clock for anyone struggling with alcohol or opioid addiction and is ready to offer professional help and support as early as possible.
Substance Abuse Treatment
Getting formal drug detox is an important step in the journey towards recovery from drug addiction. Once physically stabilized, patients can benefit from subsequent counseling and therapy sessions. At Mercy Emergency Room in Sugar Land, TX, we provide medical detox services to assist patients grappling with drug dependency or overdoses and effectively address any withdrawal symptoms they may experience.
When Substance Abuse becomes an Emergency
Long-term and consistent use of a substance can lead to the development of physical dependence. This is a sign that the body has naturally adapted to the presence of the drug. Once the drug becomes firmly integrated into the body, its presence is necessary for the body to function normally.
In the event of substance addiction, if you suddenly cease or reduce its use, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can vary depending on the specific substance. While some withdrawal symptoms may only cause mild discomfort, others have the potential to be life-threatening.
For some addiction can even happen if they have used drugs legitimately under doctor’s orders. Opioid pain medications and benzodiazepines for anxiety are both highly addictive, and unsuspecting patients can easily develop physical dependence. If you have become dependent as a result of medical treatment, do not feel ashamed about being addicted, but rather seek help. Whether your dependence on drugs was caused by medical treatment or by recreational abuse, seeking treatment for addiction before it reaches a crisis point is much better than waiting for a potentially life-threatening situation to arise.
Patients undergoing detox at an emergency room such as Mercy ER can safely achieve stability before entering a rehabilitation program. Furthermore, they can receive the urgent care they require in the event of a substance overdose.
Substance Abuse Treatment at Mercy Emergency Room
We recognize the unique nature of each person's addiction, and our drug detox process is tailored to provide individualized treatment.
Upon arrival at our 24-hour emergency room, you will be received by our medical team who conducts a thorough evaluation of your mental and physical health. A comprehensive review of your drug, psychiatric, and medical history is performed. The level of the drug in your system is measured to determine the appropriate detox medication and dosage.
The stabilization phase is then initiated. Through a combination of medical and psychological therapies, both your body and mind are stabilized to bring you out of harm’s way. Our team prescribes addiction treatment medications that help minimize complications and alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
Duration of Treatment
The duration for detoxification varies significantly due to several factors. Withdrawal symptoms can persist for a few days or extend to several months depending on various factors. These factors include the extent of addiction, the specific substance abused, the mode of consumption (such as injection or snorting), and the quantity of the substance consumed. Detox at the emergency room can last a week or two after which you will be directed to a rehab center or program for further care.
Attempting drug detox at home is not advisable due to the potential for painful and dangerous side effects. Medically supervised detox provides a safe and comfortable environment for substance abuse treatment. If you are struggling with substance abuse and addiction, consider visiting Mercy Emergency Room at Sugar Land, Texas.