The first step in the path to recovery is a medical detoxification program. Detox not only makes the withdrawal process simpler and more comfortable – it is essential to ensuring the safety and health of people quitting substance use. A drug and alcohol detox program synthesizes the best in medical and psychological interventions to ensure each client’s success and prepare them for the next stages of the addiction treatment process.
When they stop using, they feel the painful effects of withdrawal, which can often drive them back to abusing their substance of choice. These withdrawal symptoms can be incredibly painful, disorienting, and in some cases even life-threatening. While detoxing from addictive substances is never easy, these three pillars of effective medical detox can make the process much more comfortable.
A medical detox program is designed to help people struggling with addiction overcome the intense temporary withdrawal symptoms that occur when a person suddenly stops using drugs or alcohol.
It equips them with the tools to achieve abstinence and prepares them for the next steps in their addiction treatment process. Our clients leave detox with a clear mind and a healthy, drug-free body, fully prepared for the vital next stage.
At Annandale’s medical detox in Los Angeles, we accomplish these goals for drug and alcohol detox treatment in three ways:
Medical detox is often referred to as the first step to recovery, the implication being that more steps must be taken. This is because detoxing from drugs is not enough to produce the vital change required for people to reach long-term abstinence.
Medical detox helps people to overcome the physical component of addiction. It is intended to relieve withdrawal symptoms such as:
✔ Shakes
✔ Sweats
✔ Insomnia
✔ Seizures
✔ Chills
All of these areas must be addressed to bring about the change required for a person to truly recover and begin thriving in their new life in sobriety. By treating the physical component first, medical detox helps people to enter treatment in the best possible state of mind for them to succeed. People detoxing from drugs are physically ill, and often not prepared to devote their time and energy to intensive treatment or counseling. While counseling and support are important elements of detoxification, it is first and foremost a place for sick people to get better under medical supervision.
Every different drug has a unique set of physical and psychological consequences. As such, Annandale’s Pasadena detox caters to several different addictions with a targeted and personalized approach. The first step of detox is always a thorough assessment – ensuring that every patient get’s the treatment they need, when they need it.
Certain substances absolutely require medical detox to break free from. In particular, alcohol and benzodiazepines can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms that can be alleviated with the help of Annandale detox in Los Angeles.
Seizures are one of the several side effects of withdrawing from alcohol or benzodiazepines. These seizures can often be fatal, but this risk can be greatly reduced through targeted medications on behalf of the medical detox team. These medications not only greatly reduce the risk of seizure but can provide significant relief for withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and tremors as well.
Opioids include drugs such as heroin, codeine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and nearly all prescription painkillers. While opioid withdrawal is not typically fatal, it is an intensely uncomfortable experience that often leads people back to addiction if not treated properly. The experience of opioid withdrawal is often equated to a terrible flu, with people experiencing symptoms such as:
Fortunately, opioid withdrawal syndrome responds extremely well to targeted treatment. Medications such as buprenorphine or methadone can provide immense relief from opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Many people mistakenly believe that marijuana addiction doesn’t carry serious withdrawal symptoms. Yet with the increasing use of high-potency marijuana strains, concentrates, and edibles, more and more people are experiencing uncomfortable and debilitating side effects when they stop marijuana use.
Like with other substance use disorders, the withdrawal symptoms of marijuana addiction can interfere with a person’s ability to focus on treatment and may drive them back to active use before the withdrawal symptoms cease.
Stimulant drugs include methamphetamine, cocaine, Adderall, and other prescription ADHD medications. Stimulant withdrawal doesn’t carry as high of a physical risk as other substances, but can wreak mental havoc upon the people who suffer from it. Symptoms of stimulant withdrawal include:
Left untreated, these symptoms will often result in a strong desire to return to methamphetamine use. Medical detox helps people to break through this stage, and gets them prepared for future treatment at an addiction treatment facility.
Reach out to our team today to start your recovery journey – We will guide you every step of the way!
A comprehensive medical and psychiatric evaluation helps our clinical team understand your substance use history, current health status, and potential withdrawal risks. This allows us to create the safest and most effective detox plan tailored to your needs.
Patients receive 24/7 medical supervision with supportive care and symptom-relieving medications when appropriate. Our goal is to safely manage withdrawal symptoms while keeping patients as comfortable and stable as possible throughout the detox process.
Once detox is complete, patients transition into the next level of treatment—such as Residential Treatment, PHP, or IOP—where therapy, medication management, and relapse-prevention planning support long-term recovery.
To understand what to expect during detox it helps to know how a substance use disorder develops in the first place. When a psychoactive substance, a substance that alters perception, enters the bloodstream it impacts the central nervous system and the brain. The brain responds to the influx of dopamine and acknowledges the positive effects of the substance, imprinting the experience on the reward system. Over time the brain reinforces the substance use, eventually causing neural pathways to become altered.
Cessation of the substance, as when entering treatment, causes the body to begin the detoxification process. Brain chemistry responds to the sudden absence of the substance, causing a cascade of withdrawal symptoms as the body attempts to adjust. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms a participant experiences, ranging from mild to severe, is determined by several factors, such as:
Although detox is an uncomfortable, but necessary, first step in recovery, a team of detox professionals will provide timely medications to help ease the participant through the process. In addition to medical interventions, the emotional support offered by the team is also invaluable. As withdrawal symptoms intensify it may become very tempting to just give up. By having compassionate support available it allows the participant to successfully complete the detox process and transition to the stabilization phase of their recovery journey.
Our residential setting provides round-the-clock support, medical detox when needed, and structured days designed to build stability and healthy routines.
Clients heal in a fully supervised space, free from outside triggers and distractions, ensuring the focus stays on recovery and long-term personal growth.
Unlike outpatient care, our program offers full residential treatment—combining medical support, therapy, and daily structure for lasting results.
The most important step you can take in starting your recovery process is to call a medical detox. Los Angeles detox at Annandale Behavioral Health is here to take your call today and can help you to break through this pivotal stage when support matters the most. When you or a loved one are dealing with an addiction, the time to act is now – don’t delay seeking treatment any longer. Call our team at 855-778-8668 or fill out our online contact form to get started on the path to holistic health and healing at Annandale Behavioral Health in Pasadena.
Substance use recovery occurs on a continuum, with the very first step in this important journey involving the detox and withdrawal phase. The detox process is a necessary step toward achieving the goal of long-term sobriety. Once the substance has been cleared from the body, the participant can begin to stabilize and engage in recovery activities.
Annandale Behavioral Health offers a flexible schedule for the detox and withdrawal process to take place. Providing a detox period of 5-10 days depending on need, the detox team will assist the participant from beginning to end by offering medical interventions and psychological support.
Detox support services include:
Throughout the detox phase of treatment participants will receive 24-hour supervision. All meals, snacks, and liquids are provided, as well as comfortable accommodations in a private or semi-private room.
Some participants may want to begin engaging in therapeutic activities offered in the onsite stabilization program. If the detox team feels this is appropriate, these clinical services are provided at no additional charge.
You deserve care that respects your privacy and supports your healing. We’re here to guide you every step of the way!
Annandale Behavioral Health offers a highly experienced and trained treatment team to help you or your loved one safely detox from substances and design a customized aftercare plan to maintain sobriety. Our comprehensive treatment team includes Case Managers, Individual Therapists, RNs, LVNs, Psychiatrists, and more.
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Annandale Behavioral Health is located in a contemporary farmhouse situated on the sprawling grounds in one of Pasadena’s most beloved neighborhoods. This intimate recovery setting has just six beds, allowing for a higher level of care within a safe, supportive treatment environment. The park-like setting features beautiful gardens and an outdoor fireplace that enhances the serene atmosphere.
