Benefits Of Inpatient And Outpatient Detox

Detoxification is widely used in the treatment of alcoholism. This is part of the entire treatment process to help patients with lowering negative effects of withdrawal. Patients greatly benefit from detoxification since it helps patients proceed with therapy with greater ease and determination. Completing detoxification however doesn't necessarily ensure success in the whole treatment but it is a better way compared to cold turkey or sudden halt from alcohol consumption. Detoxification may be availed by patients in an outpatient type of facility or inpatient. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages.

Outpatient Detoxification

Patients travel to a facility or hospital for detox treatment daily not including weekends. Treatment may be performed during daytime or at evenings depending on the request of the patient. Outpatient detoxification begins with assessment of the patient. Alcohol consumption history and family history are part of the examination. Patients are required to have laboratory tests and physical examination before the initiation of the detoxification treatment. The first day of detoxification is the longest due to the assessment and diagnostic tests involved. It lasts approximately for two hours.

Succeeding treatments can take between 15 to 30 minutes and lasts up to 14 days depending on the patient's progress. The benefit of outpatient treatment is that patients are given greater freedom to accomplish other tasks in their daily lives. They can live a normal lifestyle and interact freely with friends and family. There are many outpatient drug treatment programs that provide detoxification treatment. This option can be very effective for some but not true to all.

Inpatient Detox

Inpatient detoxification starts similarly with outpatient where there is assessment, physical examination and lab tests before initial detoxification. The difference is that this form of detox requires the patient to stay in the center for the whole duration of the therapy so that there's constant monitoring of the patient specially for serious complications. Patients who suffer serious addiction are the ones who go through this form of detox since the withdrawal effects are more serious and life threatening. The therapy usually lasts between five to fourteen days just like out-patient detoxification treatment.

Some drug treatments offer inpatient detox treatment as part of the whole program. This way, skilled staff and physicians can monitor the patient twenty-four hours a day. Being inside an inpatient facility also lessens the probability of the one taking medication to access alcohol drinks. Relapse is lesser when there are qualified personnel who assist and check on the patient all throughout the treatment.


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Ericka Lopez writes about topics related to drug rehabilitation programs in Irving, if you want to read more about her works visit drug treatment programs in St Louis


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