In general, the drug and alcohol addiction treatment process is usually handled in two steps. The first step requires the client to go through a detox program to help them safely get past any possible withdrawal symptoms. Once a client has regained control of their faculties, they should have the ability to endure the rigors of therapy, the second step in the treatment process.
The detox process is vitally important to addiction sufferers who are battling a significant addiction to drugs like, heroin, cocaine, meth or alcohol. The notion of them trying to detox without help from professionals in simply too much to contemplate. Why? The list of withdrawal symptoms related to withdrawal from a substance like heroin reads like horror film. We are talking about symptoms like:
- Breathing and blood pressure issues
- Body convulsions and tremors in the arms and legs
- Nightmares and scary hallucinations
- Inability to control motor function and decision making abilities
- severe muscle cramping
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
So, why is it so vitally important for an addiction sufferer to get past their withdrawal symptoms before submitting to therapy? For therapy to be effective, the client has to be able to understand the process and open up about their past. Any attempts to do these things while also dealing with residual cravings and withdrawal symptoms has proven time and again to be a very difficult thing to manage. That’s why reputable addiction treatment centers like ours put so much emphasis on detoxing before starting treatment.
We can’t stress enough how open you should be to going through a medically monitored detox program before therapy. You’ll be kept safe and comfortable during the worst of times, only to come out on the other end with a clearer mind and better body function.
How you proceed after clearing your withdrawal issues is open for discussion.
Can I Go To Outpatient Treatment After I Detox?
First, there’s a real possibility someone is going to be encouraging you to submit to residential addiction treatment. They will be doing this because the most recent available data indicates residential treatment is more effective that other options. With that said, there might be reasons you won’t or can’t submit to residential treatment. Under any number of circumstances, you might be better suited for an outpatient program.
Around the country, there are three outpatient treatment options that get significant play. They include:
- Partial Hospitalization (5 to 7 days a week, 6 to 8 hours a day of therapy)
- Intensive Outpatient (3 to 5 days a week, 4 to 6 hours a day of therapy)
- Standard Outpatient (1 to 2 days a week, 1 to 2 hours a day of therapy)
From this selection, there is likely an option that will work for you. While you might get some pressure to submit to residential treatment, especially if your addiction is substantial, here’s some viable reasons why you wouldn’t be suitable for residential treatment:
- Work or school responsibilities that cannot be set aside
- The cost of residential treatment is prohibitive
- As family’s primary breadwinner, cannot miss time
- Personally responsibility for the care and protection of family members or children
Remember, this is only a partial list of compelling reasons why residential treatment might not be your best options. Of course, the ultimate decision about how much time you can devote to treatment is yours. Keeping in mind what’s at risk, it’s incumbent on you to make sure you make your decision takes into account the risks you would face if treatment fails.
At the end of the day, your personal welfare has to come first before any other considerations. Outpatient programs can be very effective, often rendering the desired results. However, residential treatment still stands as the best treatment option for someone who has been struggling mightily with an addiction for a long time.
Here’s what we suggest. You need to be the one to admit you have an illness and want help. If you can take these vital steps, we’ll be there to answer your call at 772-266-5320. From that call, we’ll begin working with you on developing the best strategy to get you firmly on the road to a lasting recovery. If the promise of outpatient treatment is what will bring you in the door, we’ll find a way to make it work.
