Have a Substance Problem? Use a Doctor to Detox

We live in an addiction society, whether it’s drugs, booze or food. Roughly two-thirds of the U.S. population weighs too much and more than half of people say they have a relative with a drinking problem. While some people simply overindulge and don’t have a true addition, many people have a mental or physical issue that causes them to eat too much, drink too much or take habit-forming drugs. Those people are likely to need a doctor-supervised program to break their cycle of addiction.

If you are saying to yourself, “I need a doctor detox,” or if you have a loved one you are trying to convince to go into a program, there are some factors you need to consider. First off, you need to get recommendations for programs. You might ask friends, relatives or coworkers. You also could try researching online or checking out social media. Another possible avenue is to ask your family practice doctor for a recommendation.

Once you get some recommendations for possible programs, you need to check out doctors and their programs to see what kind of history and reputation they have. If they make claims about success rates, make sure to verify those claims. Your research might be very different depending on what kind of detox program you are seeking, whether it’s for alcohol dependency, drug addiction, weight loss or some other purpose.

Once you have done your thorough research, you should pick two or three programs and visit them in person. See what the place looks like and speak with the doctor running the program. If you get the wrong vibe or see anything that doesn’t feel right, scratch it off your list. A detox program is a serious commitment, and you can’t afford to make a mistake by choosing the wrong program. This is especially important if it is an inpatient program where you will stay for a period of time.

Only you can make the decision to say, “I need a doctor detox.” Once you do make that decision, it’s important to get all the facts and then commit to a program that will provide you with the best chance to beat your addiction.