Detoxification can be done on both an outpatient basis (mental health centers, addiction clinics or private clinics) or inpatient (hospital or residential treatment center). Inpatient detoxification allows the patient to be closely monitored, avoids exposure to the substance of abuse, and can speed up the process of detoxification. Outpatient detoxification has the advantage of being less disruptive to the patient’s life and less expensive. The choice of setting depends on many factors such as the drug of abuse, amount and length of history of abuse, psychosocial issues, patient’s age, and co-existing medical and/or psychiatric conditions among others.
While treatment centers often have their own detoxification facilities, others make arrangements for their patients with detoxification programs at nearby sites, including hospitals and clinics. There are licensed detoxification facilities in most areas of the United States .
Detoxification programs can be found by using the government’s SAMHSA online treatment locator (findtreatment.samhsa.gov/facilitylocatordoc.htm). Click on detailed search in the left hand menu, fill in the city and state, and then check detoxification and the type of care desired (Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/Day treatment, Non-hospital residential or Hospital inpatient). Links to rapid detox programs can also be found at Recovery Resources Online
Medical Detoxification
In order to withdraw from certain addictive substances safely, it may be preferable and in some cases necessary to undergo medically supervised detoxification in a hospital or residential treatment center that has a detoxification unit.
Rapid Detoxification
In this procedure drug withdrawal occurs while patients are asleep under general anesthesia.
Stepped Rapid Detoxification
This approach, using the slower oral and subcutaneous routes, rid the body of the opiate more slowly than intravenous Rapid Detoxification .
Ultra Rapid Detoxification
This accelerates the withdrawal process, pushing them into 100% detoxification within a 5-30 minute period.
Outpatient Detoxification
Outpatient medical detoxification is usually safe and effective for people who are more likely to have mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms.