For those individuals suffering from addiction, the typical first step of the recovery process is detox. Detox is the short-term medical process by which an individual physically stops using drugs and/or alcohol. Often, depending on what substances they may be using, detox also includes managing withdrawal symptoms, both physically and mentally, that may occur and reaching a place of medical stabilization so that they may continue their treatment and recovery journey.
There are many benefits of a stand-alone detox. The first is time. Depending on the types of substances being used, the amount of substances being used, and the duration of the active addiction, a detox may last anywhere from 4 days to 14 days, making sure the drugs have left the individuals system and the patient is medically stable. This short-term process is valuable for many people that don’t have the ability to commit to a longer residential or inpatient stay. Often family obligations or employment make it difficult for someone to commit to a month-long treatment program, so a short-term detox is more accessible.
Another benefit of detox is the 24/7 medical and clinical care that is available. A stand-alone detox facility is staffed 24 hour a day, 7 days a week with medical professionals (doctors, psychiatrists, nurses) who are there to support the patient through their detox process, appropriately dispense medications, and handle any medical complications that may arise. There is also clinical staff (master’s level therapists and counselors and drug and alcohol counselors) onsite to help a patient through the first difficult days of recovery. These clinicians work in collaboration with the psychiatrists at the facility to handle any co-occurring mental health issues a patient may have, as well as help facilitate the next steps in treatment or care a patient may need.
Additional staff benefits of a detox are the recovery support staff, often consisting of behavioral health techs and peer recovery support specialists, who are able to offer emotional support as well as lived experience, making the process easier on the patient. Recovery is a journey that begins with seeking help, and then allowing others to help. Recovery support staff and peer recovery supports can offer personal experience that allows a patient to connect and receive emotional support.
Stand-alone detoxes also offer an environment of comfort in the form of amenities and support. This includes patient lounges and quiet rooms to relax, comfortable beds and bedrooms with televisions. This also includes a chef and culinary staff who make sure the patients are well fed with options best designed to support their health and wellness throughout their detox stay.
However, the greatest benefit of a short-term stand-alone detox may be its ability to help facilitate the patient to the next appropriate step in their journey of addiction treatment and recovery. Addiction is a complex, chronic disease that requires long-term care and support to achieve optimum recovery outcomes. However, that continuum of care must be individualized to meet the clinical needs of the patient, as well as their specific life circumstances. Not every patient needs a detox an inpatient rehab stay, followed by extended care treatment, followed by PHP then IOP treatment, as well as a recovery house or sober home and engagement in community recovery support. All these steps in the addiction treatment continuum are important, but they are not all vital for each individual suffering from substance use disorder. A short-term stand-alone detox offers both the patient and the medical and clinical professionals caring for them an important jumping off point. The patient can be detoxed, medically stabilized, physically free from dangerous substances, and mentally and emotionally centered. Then the patient, their loved ones and other stakeholders, and the professionals can best determine what the next steps should be to make sure the individual is getting the best chance at a sustained recovery. A short-term stand-alone detox stay could lead to the patient going to a residential facility. It could lead to the patient going to a longer-term extended care facility. It could lead to the patient going back home and engaging in a PHP or IOP program. It could lead to a sober living residence or halfway house. It could lead to the patient going home and beginning to see and therapist and/or psychiatrist. And it most always will lead to the patient beginning the engagement in some form of community-based recovery, whether that is a 12-Step fellowship like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), SMART Recovery, Celebrate Recovery, or Refuge Recovery. The short-term detox will allow for all stakeholders in the life of the patient to come together and work together to make sure there is a long-term plan in place to best support the individuals to getting their clinical and recovery needs met and supported, so that they can find long-term recovery.
If you or someone you know needs help for addiction or co-occurring disorders, please give us a call. Innovo Detox offers the latest in evidence-based medical, psychiatric, and clinical care for those in need of detox and medical stabilization in Pennsylvania and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic area. If we aren’t the best fit for you or a loved one, we will take the necessary time to work with you to find a detox, rehab, treatment center or provider that better fits your needs. Please give us a call at (717) 619-3260 or email our team at info@innovodetox.com. For more information on our company or services, please visit our website at www.innovodetox.com.