During the detox process, addiction medicine professionals monitor an individual’s physical and psychological response to the initial absence of substance consumption for the patient’s health, safety and comfort. Medical care and supervision decrease the likelihood of relapse during an inpatient or outpatient detoxification process.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration explains that outpatient detoxification “is an organized outpatient service, which may be delivered in an office setting, healthcare or addiction treatment facility, or in a patient’s home by trained clinicians who provide medically supervised evaluation, detoxification, and referral services according to a predetermined schedule.”
These types of services occur during regular, prescheduled sessions and are defined by evidence-based medical procedures. Inpatient detoxification is comprehensive and allows doctors the most flexibility to administer care and medications as needed throughout the process. Outpatient detox facilities, however, are less restrictive and allow more access to social support from important relationships at home.
This level of care is appropriate for addictions that are mild to moderate, and a treatment plan for the addiction should be started immediately upon the completion of the detox. Outpatient detoxification facilities tailor their services for each patient’s needs, to ensure the best possible opportunity for lifelong recovery from substance addiction.
