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What to Say About Inpatient Detox

Inpatient detoxification, also known by the general term "inpatient detox," can be seen as a crucial phase in the long-term road to treatment for patients battling with addictive behaviors or substance abuse. It is a detoxification regimen that is medically supervised and follows a structured format to provide people with an environment that is supportive as they withdraw from drugs or alcohol.

9 Minute Read | Published Oct 05 2023 | Updated Apr 11 2024 Expert Verified
Amber Asher
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The addicts receive round-the-clock care and constant supervision during inpatient detox to help them deal with all the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. This stage usually takes place at a center where there are doctors competent in the area of addiction medicine.

This article will examine inpatient detox's goal, process, and advantages and the importance of seeking professional assistance during this difficult yet important juncture on the road to recovery.

What Are the Goals of Inpatient Detox?

The first objective of the inpatient detox program is to provide patients with a nurturing atmosphere where they undergo substance withdrawal under the supervision of a medical team for their safety. This process aims to:

1. Ensure Safety:

The inpatient detox process provides patients with an environment that prevents them from experiencing withdrawal symptoms that are associated with weaning off the substances and may have been life-threatening. In medical care delivery, the medical professionals compassionately observe the vital signs and manage any complications if they arise during the detoxification process.

2. Minimize Discomfort:

Chances are that when you try to withdraw from them, the symptoms of withdrawal may be unpleasant or even painful. Inpatient detox employs medical intervention and supportive care to remove such symptoms, which enables individuals to undergo the withdrawal smoothly.

3. Stabilize Physical Health:

Substance use may put disastrous demands on the body, in turn leading to many health complications. Inpatient detox may be a life-saving treatment for individuals with severe addictions, as it allows doctors to keep them under close observation while helping them abstain from drugs or alcohol and treat any urgent medical issues that may occur during the detox program.

4. Prepare for Further Treatment:

Outpatient detox is the opening act for what is to come. The recovery houses become a home-like setting that presents a comfortable environment and services that guide their residents’ plans and prepare them for further treatment, such as residential rehabilitation or ongoing support groups.

5. Facilitate Mental and Emotional Support:

Substance abuse is often intricately related to mental disorders. Inpatient detox provides for mental and emotional well-being through the access and utilization of counseling, therapy, and peer support groups. Holistic treatment is thus dedicated to addressing the original psychological contributors to addiction.

Primarily, the goal of such inpatient detox is to create a setup that a person can use to achieve long-term recovery once physical health is stabilized and the withdrawal symptoms are managed using proper supportive mechanisms.

How Is Inpatient Detox?

The inpatient detoxification program is a structured process to strip someone from alcohol, drugs, and other substances. It starts with admission and a detailed appraisal of the patient's eligibility, considering the care this patient has received. 

Next, a unique protocol will be formulated that aims at individual objectives. Doctors oversee drug detoxification, including the treatment of withdrawal symptoms, supervising vital signs, and prescribing drugs that are needed to relieve the discomfort. During the recovery process, counseling and therapy will play a helpful role in dealing with the emotional and mental aspects of this addiction. Transition planning is an important step that drives follow-up care and sustainable recovery.

Here is a summary of how it works:

 

Admission

Process of admission takes place by taking the personal information of the patient, checking for insurance coverage, and obtaining contact and emergency contact information

Initial Assessment

A thorough assessment of the person’s medical history, patterns of substance abuse, mental health status, and treatment requirements, is carried out.

Medical Evaluation

A clinician evaluates the current state of the patient’s health to determine the appropriate treatment and identify any co-occurring disorder.

Individualized Treatment

An individualized treatment plan is established for the patient.

Medical Monitoring and Withdrawal prevention

Medical supervision and frequent monitoring are provided to treat any withdrawal symptom.

Counseling and Support

Individual and group therapy sessions take place to treat the root causes of addiction, and also, for developing coping skills.

Medication Assisted Treatment (if needed)

Some drugs might be given to treat cravings and substance withdrawal symptoms.

Transitioning Plans

Plans to stay sober outside of the facility are developed.

Discharge and Follow-up

Patients are discharged with an aftercare plan to provide continuous support.

 

Advantages of Inpatient Detox

Inpatient detox administration consists of several benefits that have played a significant role in helping patients past the early recovery stages. Among the numerous advantages are:

1. Safety: 

Inpatient detox provides a regulated environment where medical personnel can watch patients day and night, guaranteeing that patients will be safe during the withdrawal process.

2. Medical Support:

Medical staff are accessible to treat withdrawal or detox symptoms, and this goes beyond providing medication to treat cravings. Prescription drugs offer a foundation for detoxification because they allow patients to go through the process more pleasantly and safely than managing autonomic physical symptoms without any help.

3. Structured Environment: 

Inpatient detox gives an organized daily program, which is vital in helping addicts to develop positive lifestyle patterns as well as learn coping mechanisms. A substance-free controlled environment and reduced access to triggers -which can be detrimental in this transition into recovery-, can be easily prevented.

4. Emotional Support:

Moreover, coming to detox inpatient is not only about getting some medical attention but also some emotional backing through counseling, psychotherapy, and companionship. Overcoming the initial internal emotional issues and lessons learned from peer responsiveness will optimize motivation and resilience.

5. Reduced Temptation:

The removal of drugs and alcohol at this stage will decrease the rates of those who relapse while they are being detoxed. Some individuals may find this support system aiding in their success of detoxification and the commencement of follow-up treatment.

6. Holistic Approach:

Inpatient detox usually involves various treatment modalities, such as behavioral therapy, group therapy, and even mindfulness. Adopting a holistic approach, the multifarious aspects of the treatment process —body, mind, and soul—become mutual.

7. Preparation for Further Treatment:

Inpatient detox starts as a bridge to second-tier medical care, such as rehab centers and outpatient therapy. This helps patients concentrate on their further recovery measures. 

Eventually, the pros of inpatient detox can be associated with their capacity to offer value that ensures a safe, supportive, and, structured environment when dealing with the complex needs of people going through withdrawal from drugs or substance abuse. As such, this holistic approach would give a wider range of chances for satisfying detoxification and would pave the path for long-term recuperation.

How to Know if You Need an Inpatient Detox Program?

Recognizing the need for a detox program involves being aware of the signs and symptoms like heavy use and dependence on drugs or alcohol as a way to get rid of or cope with a situation. The indicators may be the appearance of various physical abstinence symptoms such as shaking, being sick, or not sleeping when trying to lower or quit substance use.

Other disease characteristics such as higher tolerance, loss of control over the drug use, craving urges that are more intensive, consequences related to the substance use which are negative, social isolation, increase in symptoms of physical disorders, symptoms associated with mental disorders that become more severe due to substance use, unsuccessful attempts to overcome them, and the risk of withdrawal syndrome.

If you notice that you are experiencing the majority of the signs and symptoms mentioned above, these may alert you that you might need a detox program. Getting counseling and guidance from a healthcare provider or addiction expert is the main step you need to take to get the right answer to your particular problems.

How Long Does Inpatient Detox Take?

The timeframe of medical detox may change based on different attributes, such as the types of drugs involved or the patient's health condition, in addition to the detox center's policy. On average, residential detox treatment programs usually last several days to several weeks in a row.

For drugs such as alcohol or opiates, however, the detoxification may take anywhere from 5 to 7 days on average. It can sometimes be a ten-day or more period for persons with a higher dependency grade. The benzodiazepine detox must last longer as the tapering of the medication should be done gradually so that few to no withdrawal symptoms may occur.

It is worth mentioning that detoxification is merely a starting point of treatment, and the patients may also need time in either inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient therapy to tackle the primary factors that have caused their substance abuse and to have the means to maintain their sobriety over the long term. However, the total duration of stay in inpatient detox is adjusted to personal conditions and speed of recovery, among other things.

How to Choose the Right Inpatient Detox Program?

Find treatments based on scientific research suitable for your special needs, targeting customized treatment plans and a range of services that help patients beyond detox. You must ask questions such as: Is family involvement part of the program? Are the location and amenities of the program aligned with my preferences? 

Assess the costs, insurance, and rate of success of the programs. Scale these factors, and you can select a program to ensure you go through a successful recovery by offering the required resources and support necessary.

Resources

bullet Springer
"Who Needs Inpatient Detox? Development and Implementation of a Hospitalist Protocol for the Evaluation of Patients for Alcohol Detoxification"
Retrieved on April 11, 2024
bullet Taylor & Francis
"A Randomized Trial of Two Behavioral Interventions to Improve Outcomes Following Inpatient Detoxification for Alcohol Dependence"
Retrieved on April 11, 2024
bullet Elsevier
"The clinical neurobiology of drug craving"
Retrieved on April 11, 2024
bullet Taylor & Francis
"Closing the Gaps: The Impact of Inpatient Detoxification and Continuity of Care on Client Outcomes"
Retrieved on April 11, 2024
bullet Slack Journals
"Substance Use Withdrawal and Detox Strategies That Work"
Retrieved on April 11, 2024
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