The growing epidemic of drug and alcohol abuse in this country has caused a dramatic increase in the number of detoxes that have opened in the past few years. However, not all of these facilities are what they claim to be, and many have entered into the industry solely as a means for making a quick buck by taking advantage of those with drug and alcohol abuse problems. Doing a quick Internet search to try to find a detox results in a flood of choices and discerning which of these facilities are quality detoxes and which are not, can be difficult even for someone with considerable knowledge on the subject. That being said there are some easily recognizable factors shared by all quality detoxes and knowing them can help you sift through the plethora of detoxes to find the one that is right for you.
What is a Detox?
Detox is often the first step in the treatment plan for people attempting to quit drinking or using drugs. It is usually a place where someone can safely and methodically withdraw from substances under the care of a physician who can help manage their symptoms. Withdrawal from drugs and alcohol can often be a frightening proposition and attempting to do this alone, without detox, can not only lead someone directly back to alcohol or drug abuse but in certain cases can also have serious medical consequences, including seizures and even death. This is why selecting a quality detox is so important, and the first step in this is understanding the different types of detoxes.
Inpatient Detox Centers
Inpatient Detox Centers are the most common types of detoxes. They offer 24-hour care in a safe environment. For inpatient detoxes, the clients live at the facility for the duration of their stay and this is often advantageous because it removes them from their daily routine and the temptations that come along with an ingrained habit such as drug or alcohol abuse. The detoxification stage is one that many people do not get past if they do not have help, but being in an inpatient facility with the proper medication can help mitigate relapse and set the person up for continued and successful recovery.
Outpatient Detox Centers
Outpatient detox centers offer the same level of care as inpatient detox centers but the difference is that the client goes home at night. This form of detox can have its advantages and disadvantages, but it really depends on the person and the risk factors involved in their ability to stay clean and sober. Some of the advantages of this form of detox are:
- Greater social support from family and friends
- Maintenance of employment and relationships
- Greater freedom to continue life’s activities and responsibilities
However, these advantages are contingent on the person’s ability to maintain abstinence from substances while they are not at the detox center. So when making the choice for inpatient or outpatient detox, you must really be honest with yourself as to what you are capable of, whether the temptations of your current situation are too great for you to maintain sobriety, and what you truly need in order to overcome addiction.
Factors in Choosing a Quality Detox
Making the choice to go to detox can be very stressful and overwhelming. Besides facing the physical symptoms of withdrawal, which are often uncomfortable, stepping into the unknown, into a life without drugs or alcohol can seem like the end of the world. This, however, is not the case and many people the world over have made this decision and would not trade their new life for anything. Once the decision to go to detox has been made there are certain factors that you should take into account before deciding which detox center you are going to attend. They are:
- Do I need to attend inpatient or outpatient detox?
- How far away is the detox?
- Does this facility accept my insurance, and if they do not, do I have the money to pay for treatment out of pocket?
- If I am looking to go to a drug rehabilitation center after, does this detox have relationships with any?
- What sort of recovery community is available in the surrounding area?
Once these questions have been answered you can begin to get a little more specific in your decision making and look for the attributes that make up a quality detox. Some of the things you should look for when choosing a detox are:
Does the detox offer specialized treatment plans for detox of specific substances?
Different substances require different protocols for detox. For instance, the medications necessary to detox safely from benzodiazepines are different from the medications necessary for opiate detox. Does the facility offer these medications and follow a Medical Doctor’s protocol for administering them? This is a question you should ask when looking for a quality detox.
Does the Medical Director of the facility have the proper credentials, meaning the Medical Director is a medical doctor or a psychiatrist?
The Medical Director’s credentials are an important aspect in distinguishing quality detoxes from ones you should avoid. If the Medical Director’s credentials are not rooted in the established medical or related psychiatric field, then you might want to think twice about going to that detox.
- Does the detox offer groups pertaining to maintaining abstinence from drugs and alcohol and have 12-step meetings brought into the facility?
Part of the treatment program for any detox center should include groups that educate the clients about addiction and how to continue to stay clean and sober after discharge. Adding to this a quality detox should also have 12-step meetings brought into the facility in order to start introducing its clients to the recovery community and the ideas presented in 12-step programs. Not all quality detox programs are situated in such a manner where 12-step meetings can be brought in-house, but when 12-step meetings are available it is usually a sign that the detox has established a relationship with the surrounding recovery community and has a fundamental understanding of what is necessary to maintain recovery.
- Does this facility offer monetary or other material incentives to its clients?
If the answer to this question is yes, then do not go to that detox. There are a growing number of marketers and facilities that are offering monetary incentives to clients. This is not only illegal but it is usually a sign that the facility is not operating within the bounds of the law, and many people who initially may have sought detox for help get stuck in the ever-revolving door of incentives, never actually getting the treatment they need.
Call SoCal Detox Today and Learn More About Our Detox Programs
When you make the commitment to undergo drug treatment, the prospect of feeling pain and discomfort when you quit using substances can give you second thoughts about entering treatment altogether. While withdrawing from drugs and alcohol can be unpleasant, doing so in a safe and supportive environment can help make the process more tolerable. As one of the premier detox facilities in southern California, SoCal Detox offers a wide variety of drug detox programs that are effective, proven to work, and administered by professional, experienced and compassionate staff. Don’t wait another day to address your substance abuse issues. Call SoCal Detox toll-free today and find out more how our individualized detox programs can help you achieve lasting recovery.
