Inpatient
Detox
What are the Different Types of Detox Programs?
If you or a loved one is seeking help with substance abuse, the journey toward a healthier lifestyle begins with detoxification. Detox is the first step in the continuum of care for addiction treatment. Here is a look at the different types of detox programs:
- Inpatient Detoxification – Hospitalization
Whether it’s with alcohol, prescription medication or other drugs, ongoing substance abuse can create a physical addiction. The detox process involves managing withdrawal and other complications as your body rids itself of the substance it has come to depend on to feel normal. Inpatient detox provides 24-hour care, where patients are surrounded by medical staff who can attend to any urgent health needs immediately. Inpatient settings offer the advantages of constant medical care and supervision provided by a professional staff and the easy availability of treatment for serious complications. In addition, such settings prevent patient access to alcohol and offer separation from the substance-using environment
- Residential Detoxification – Medically-supervised
A personalized, professionally managed detox program is the foundation for achieving meaningful and lasting sobriety. Medically-supervised detox is similar to inpatient detox, but is not in a hospital setting. Patients receive prescription medications for easing detox symptoms and are under the care of a physician. Nursing staff is available 24/7 to monitor symptoms and manage withdrawal dangers. Abusing drugs and alcohol takes a physical toll on the body that can create additional medical conditions, such as anxiety and depression. These can be treated under our care, as well. This type of detox is most common and offered at residential treatment programs, as a part of the addiction rehab continuum of care.
- Ambulatory Detoxification
An ambulatory detoxification program is an outpatient model for individuals requiring detoxification from drugs and alcohol. This approach to detoxing individuals off alcohol, benzodiazepines and opiates in an outpatient setting has proven to be effective, however it is important to be under the direct care of a licensed medical professional, as detoxification from alcohol and benzodiazepines has a high risk of seizures and stroke.
A person may seek outpatient care through scheduled and more brief appointments within a clinic or doctor’s office that are equipped to manage outpatient or ambulatory detox. Ambulatory detox care may be administered by a variety of treatment professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and various behavioral health specialists.
Ambulatory care is attractive to many people due to lower cost and greater flexibility. As individuals are allowed to remain at home, they can continue to engage in their family life, career, or any other responsibilities they deem important. It is worth noting, however, that for some individuals this form of treatment may allow for certain temptations, negative influences, or triggers to continue to exist in a person’s life, counterbalancing the benefit of treatment. It is important, should you choose ambulatory detox, to ensure that you have a supportive network of friends or family to help you stay optimistic, accountable, and focused on your recovery.
- Detoxing at Home – Dangers, Suggestions
If you or a loved one is trying to stop using drugs or alcohol, detox is necessary and will likely trigger uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. There are some very serious risks of trying to detox without professional supervision, including relapse and overdose as well as drug-specific risks.
There are only a couple of substances that can cause withdrawal symptoms that are dangerous. For most types of drugs it is the risk of relapse and overdose that poses the biggest danger. People with severe alcohol use disorder are at risk of developing delirium tremens, which can be fatal if not monitored and managed by a medical professional.
Delirium tremens (DTs) usually begins within two to four days of a last drink, but it can occur up to 10 days later. DTs are characterized by sudden confusion, tremors, agitation, hallucinations, restlessness and bursts of energy, fear, sudden mood changes, deep sleep, and seizures. This dangerous condition is more common in very heavy drinkers and long-term drinkers. Five to 15 percent of people who develop delirium tremens die from it.
Additionally, any drug in the benzodiazepine class, like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium, can pose serious health risks during the detox and withdrawal phase. Withdrawal is characterized by tremors, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, hyperventilation, panic attacks, and seizures. It can also cause psychotic symptoms, possibly severe, including depersonalization, perceptual changes, delirium, and hallucinations. There are risks that during an episode of psychosis someone will get hurt. People have died from unsupervised benzodiazepine withdrawal.
- Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol Detox and Withdrawal
Many people don’t realize the risks involved when they stop drinking alcohol. The dangerous symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, which can be fatal, can occur whether you are a heavy drinker or have just been drinking for a short time. To ensure safety and reduce risks, medically-supervised detox is advised.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms begin within 6 – 48 hours and peak about 24 – 35 hours after the last drink. Some of the symptoms of withdrawal are:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Shakiness
- Aggressive behavior
- Fever, increased pulse rate
- Blood pressure increases or drops
- Mental disturbances
Benzodiazepine Detox and Withdrawal
Withdrawal and detox from benzodiazepines is much more complicated than other substances, including alcohol. Depending on the medication and duration of use, it is advised to taper off, instead of quitting “cold turkey.”
During detox from benzodiazepines, the following psychological and emotional symptoms are commonly experienced:
- Irritability
- Psychosis
- Anxiety
- Memory Loss
- Confusion
- Depression
Some physical symptoms you may experience include:
- Slurred speech
- Impaired vision
- Difficulty sleeping
- Flu-like symptoms (sweating, full body aches, headaches)
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Intense abdominal pain
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Numbness
- Heart palpitations
- Muscle pain
- Vertigo
The symptoms of opiate withdrawal range from mild to severe. Current health and well-being, as well as underlying mental or behavioral issues, contribute to the severity of the withdrawal process. Other contributing factors include family history of drug dependence, the length and severity of the addiction, and the method of administration.
We Accept Insurance:
The cost of addiction treatment can prevent some people from seeking out the treatment they need. There are a variety of options that can help cover the cost of treatment, including:
- State and locally funded addiction treatment programs
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants.
- Medicare and Medicaid
- S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Many treatment programs may cost-prohibitive for a large number of people. As a result, many people who may be ready to get help for their addiction put off treatment, which means that those people may decide to not get help at all. To make sure that treatment is attainable when it is needed, there are public assistance options that can offer these people the financial support they need to begin the recovery process.
Health insurance is not required to get the care you need for your addiction treatment. Even if you are insured, you may wish to pay cash for drug rehab instead of filing insurance claims and worrying about treatment authorization and coverage. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that 23.5 million people over the age of 12 needed treatment for a drug or alcohol abuse problem in 2009. Unfortunately, only 11.2 percent of these individuals sought treatment for their condition.
If you suffer from an alcohol or drug abuse issue, it’s important to get the help you need to live a healthy, well-balanced life. There is hope in the form of addiction treatment. Private pay rehab centers are located across the country, making high-quality drug abuse treatment an option for many individuals.
Outreach, screening, assessment and referral (OSAR) centers may be the first point of contact for people seeking substance use disorder treatment services. Texas residents who are seeking services and information may qualify for services based on need. OSARs are now located at local mental health authorities in all 11 Texas Health and Human Service regions. For immediate and confidential help, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, please call the OSAR LMHA in your region. Counties served by each OSAR are listed below the contact information in the list of OSAR LMHAs. You may also call or contact 211 Texas. Dial 2-1-1 or call 877-541-7905.
Please check with your provider for coverage.