Elvonó

Elvonó is a term used in Hungarian medical language to describe detoxification and withdrawal management for substance use disorders. It refers to medically supervised processes aimed at safely reducing or stopping the use of a substance and alleviating withdrawal symptoms. Detox is typically the initial phase of treatment and is followed by longer-term rehabilitation and support.

Detoxification can occur in different settings, including inpatient units in hospitals or dedicated detox centers, as well as outpatient programs with medical supervision. The choice depends on factors such as the substance involved, the severity of withdrawal, the presence of coexisting health or mental health conditions, and the risk of complications. Detox is regarded as the first step in a continuum of care rather than a complete treatment for addiction.

The process generally begins with a clinical assessment of health status, substance history, and withdrawal risk. During detox, patients are monitored regularly, and symptom-driven pharmacotherapy is used to reduce withdrawal discomfort and prevent complications. Common approaches include using benzodiazepines to manage alcohol withdrawal, opioid agonists such as methadone or buprenorphine for opioid withdrawal, and supportive measures (hydration, antiemetics, vitamins, and electrolyte management). The duration varies from several days to a couple of weeks, depending on the substance and individual factors.

Benefits of elvonó include reducing the danger associated with withdrawal and stabilizing health to enable engagement in ongoing treatment. Limitations include that detox alone does not treat addiction; without subsequent long-term care—such as counseling, medication-assisted treatment, and social support—relapse risk remains high.