Outpatient detox is a treatment program that allows individuals with substance use disorder to undergo detoxification while at home rather than spending extended periods at a hospital or residential treatment center. This model of treatment has gotten significantly popular, largely due to how much more accommodating it is than traditional rehab. Overall, outpatient detox is considerably cheaper and more flexible than inpatient care.
Even though it is a more versatile mode of treatment, outpatient care isn’t for everyone. Determining which treatment plan suits you best should be discussed with care providers before considering either option. Speak to our experienced staff today to discuss your outpatient detox expectations, your options going forward, and what makes our outpatient detox program in Londonderry, New Hampshire, the clear choice. Reach us at 603.769.8981 or use our secure online form today.
What Is Outpatient Detox?
Outpatient detox, otherwise known as ambulatory detox, is a different approach to rehab that lets patients remain at home while undergoing detox. Choosing between inpatient and outpatient care is a major deliberation on the part of both the patient and their doctor. One outpatient detox expectation is that it’s a “lite” form of treatment compared to inpatient. Outpatient detox accomplishes nearly all of what inpatient care does, but their key difference is accountability and flexibility.
Outpatient detox typically entails one of two schedules:
- Multiple weekly visits to the clinic for shorter periods of time
- Fewer visits per week, but they last all-day
Both add up to a comparable amount of time away from home, so selecting the schedule that fits your needs is easy.
One thing to note, though, is that for all of outpatient care’s strengths, it has some weaknesses. Since it’s in the hands of the patient to determine what they do at home, all of the progress of outpatient detox can be undone by continuing to abuse drugs or alcohol when not under supervision. There’s an added responsibility to outpatient care that is inadvisable for more severe cases of SUD. Additionally, withdrawal symptoms for certain drugs can be life-threatening if not treated properly. Direct medical supervision is essential in these instances, and it’s something out of the scope of outpatient care. Consider these factors, especially when determining which type of treatment is best.
What to Expect in Outpatient Detox
Outpatient detox follows many of the generally used treatment principles in most rehab programs. One of outpatient detox’s strengths is that it is adaptive, meaning our staff can adjust the approach to treatment to suit your needs. One detox plan may differ from the other due to the substance used or the patient’s history, but most treatment plans follow the same outline.
Medical Supervision
Although outpatient detox occurs mainly at home, periodic medical supervision is still necessary. Regular check-ins with healthcare providers keep recovery on track, identifying potential risks, monitoring vital signs, and prescribing medications.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy involves counseling, group therapy, and/or family therapy to help patients identify the underlying causes of addiction. Therapy helps individuals develop coping skills to avoid relapses in the future.
Managing Withdrawal
Common withdrawal symptoms, like nausea, anxiety, and insomnia, can be treated with medication supplied by the outpatient detox center. Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, uses carefully selected medication to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. It’s important to note that these medications are non-addictive, as not to supplant one substance use disorder with another.
Continued Treatment
Outpatient detox is just the first step in recovering from substance use disorder. Continued treatment in the form of ongoing therapy and support groups helps maintain sobriety for the long term.
Options for Outpatient Detox in New Hampshire at Clear Steps Recovery
For many people with outpatient detox expectations, it can be surprising to learn how different the program is from residential care. A considerable amount of effort goes into ensuring patients have the knowledge to choose which treatment plan will best suit their needs.
By calling the specialists at Clear Steps Recovery, you can discover exactly what to expect at our outpatient detox center in Londonderry, NH. We’re committed to assisting you during, and after treatment, so you can succeed in beating addiction no matter what shape it takes. Call us now at 603.769.8981 today or online to get started.
