Outpatient detox can provide you with the physical, emotional, and psychological support that you need to get clean. Many people find that an outpatient detox program is a good fit for their needs, as they’re able to live at home while visiting a detox center at least weekly.
Detox doesn’t solve addiction issues, but it’s an important first step in the journey to get well. Here, we’ll take a look at what you can expect from outpatient detox treatment.
What Happens During an Outpatient Detox Program?
First, your outpatient detox intake care provider will ask you questions to help you decide whether outpatient detox is the right fit for you. Your drug of choice, the amount of time you’ve been using, the amount you’ve been using, and your physical well-being can all be factors in determining whether an outpatient detox program will provide you with the care that you need to begin your recovery. They’ll also go over your vital signs and talk with you about your health history.
Your Detox Protocol
While outpatient detox protocols are fairly standard from patient to patient, your healthcare provider will talk with you to ensure that your individual needs are being met throughout your outpatient detox program.
Managing withdrawal symptoms is an important part of the detox process. The discomfort of withdrawal stops many people from achieving sobriety on their own, as the withdrawal process can make you feel like you have no choice but to use it.
Drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Changes in sleep habits
- Changes in appetite
- Acute pain in the muscles, bones, and joints
- Changes in mood, including depression and anxiety
- Digestive issues
- Intense cravings for drugs or alcohol
For most people, withdrawal symptoms are opposite of the effects produced by your drug of choice. For example, someone who has an alcohol use disorder and is used to relying on alcohol to relax may find that they experience severe anxiety when they’re not drinking. Your detox care provider will work with you to manage your detox symptoms to help you begin your sobriety.
Your outpatient detox doctor will likely prescribe several medications to both help your body safely end its dependence on your drug of choice and to keep you physically and mentally strong as you begin your recovery.
It’s important that you closely follow your doctor’s instructions when you’re going through detox. Without medical assistance, withdrawal from some substances–like alcohol and benzodiazepines–can lead to death. Your doctor will work with you to safely manage your symptoms.
Your Next Steps
Your outpatient detox care provider will talk with you about your plan to maintain your sobriety following detox. While the detox process physically removes the substance from your body, it does little to help you stay on a sober path.
If you need help with the next steps in your recovery, be sure to contact Provive Wellness to learn more about our addiction treatment programs and mental health services.