Blog Navigating The Outpatient Detox Process

Navigating The Outpatient Detox Process

Navigating the detox process can be a scary thing. However, it is essential to remember that this is the first step towards a more stable life.

Upon detox, individuals often move into an inpatient treatment program, such as a residential or partial hospitalization program (PHP). Inpatient care offers a safe, drug-free environment for patients to learn life skills they can take home after their rehab treatment ends.

Gone are the days when there was a requirement for hospitalization for regular drinkers. But those dealing with AUD or Alcohol use Disorder have end number of options. And one of them is the outpatient detox process. 

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Getting Started

Detox is an essential first step in overcoming drug and alcohol addiction. This medically supervised process clears all harmful substances from the body and helps people safely get through withdrawal symptoms.

Outpatient detox San Diego can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks. The length of detox depends on several factors, including how long a person has been addicted to drugs or alcohol, what substances they are withdrawing from, and if they have underlying mental health issues.

Outpatient detox is different than inpatient detox. Rather than staying overnight at a treatment center, clients visit a facility daily to monitor and receive medication. They then return home or to a sober living environment at night. This option is ideal for those still working and maintaining their daily responsibilities at home and those with robust support systems at home.

A comprehensive medical assessment is the first step in determining whether outpatient detox is proper for you. During the medical assessment, an expert will gather information on your medical history and details about your substance use to create a personalized detox plan.

What Does Outpatient Detox Refer To? 

The first and possibly the most important step in diagnosing AUD is outpatient detox. This procures entirely focuses on flushing out every bit of alcohol from a person’s body. It is a critical step because it eliminates the need and dependence of the body on alcohol. There are a lot of factors that influence the detoxification procedure:

  • AUD severity
  • Underlying mental or physical health concerns
  • Weight of the person
  • Age
  • Family medical history

On average, the detox’s physical treatment might take anywhere from a week to two. It is a critical step since it starts making the body ready to remove the need for alcohol. Moreover, this is the period when the symptoms of withdrawal will be most visible. But, in some cases, it might take more than a month for the body to overcome the mental as well as physical effects of AUD. 

Going Through Withdrawal

addiction treatment

Getting your family member to admit they have a substance abuse problem and agree to seek professional addiction treatment is a significant accomplishment. But detox, or removing addictive substances from your body, is where the real work begins.

Those suffering from alcohol or drug withdrawal experience uncomfortable and even dangerous symptoms, depending on what substance they are trying to quit. These symptoms may include shaking, sweating, anxiety, and nausea. Some of these symptoms, such as seizures, can be life-threatening.

Many people undergo detox at an ambulatory or outpatient facility instead of a residential rehab center. This allows them to continue living at home and keep up with their family responsibilities while undergoing detox. However, research has shown that outpatient detox programs have higher relapse rates than inpatient recovery centers. This is likely because individuals do not reside at a detox facility during detox.

Getting Help

If you need help getting detoxed, there are many options. There are inpatient detox centers and outpatient detox programs. An excellent place to start is by calling your insurance provider to determine your coverage. Some detox programs will work with your insurance, and others will offer payment plans for the portion that isn’t covered.

Different detox programs are designed to treat different substances. For example, alcohol detox is usually done in an outpatient setting and is effective for people experiencing mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms can lead to a condition known as delirium tremens, which requires inpatient detox.

Choosing the right detox program is essential for your success in recovery. Once you have completed detox, you must enter an addiction treatment program to help you retrain your brain and behaviors to prevent relapse. Several treatment options include mutual help groups.

Getting Back Home

Staff at rehab

Many people addicted to alcohol and drugs live in homes or neighborhoods that can be a source of temptation. Leaving detox to go back home can be dangerous for them. The withdrawal symptoms may last longer if the person is in a familiar environment. Staff at rehab units can help the patient find ways to meet basic needs while in treatment.

Generally, the setting where a person goes through detox does not influence their overall treatment outcome. For most, outpatient detox is a safe and effective way to prepare the body for addiction treatment.

The best way to determine if outpatient detox is proper is to talk with a treatment provider. Then choose a clinic that you can quickly get to daily. This will help you commit to the process and keep up with meetings and counseling. It will also limit your access to triggers and distractions.

When Do You Need A Follow-Up Care?

Follow-up care is suggested for individuals having moderate to acute AUD as a higher possibility of a relapse. Even after the completion of the detox program, it might be very simple to distract from the path and resume drinking. For a regular drinker, it might take some time to give up on his habit completely because even a small distress can relapse them. 

There are various kinds of follow-up care, including group counseling, 12-step programs, and even personal therapy sessions. If you are perplexed about which one is the best for you, make sure you consult with a counselor. 

The Bottom Line

So, this was all about the outpatient detox process. Always keep in mind that there is no shame in asking for help when you are dealing with AUD. 

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