Detoxification

Detoxing from drugs isn’t easy, and without medical support, some drug withdrawal syndromes can be life-threatening. The safest way to detox is at a medical detox center. These programs provide medication management, therapy, and treatment support services to keep patients comfortable and successful. Here is what patients can expect while at a Massachusetts drug detox center.

INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT

Drug withdrawal is a unique experience for every patient. Symptoms, severity, and duration may vary for several reasons. Patients will undergo a comprehensive physical and psychological evaluation upon admission to a Massachusetts drug detox center. This assessment will gather information about:

• The patient’s history of drug use and addiction treatment
• The patient’s medical history and family medical history
• Any medications the patient is taking or co-occurring disorders
• Bloodwork and urinalysis
• The patient’s treatment goals
• What symptoms the patient is experiencing, if any

This information is then used to help the clinical team develop an individualized treatment program that meets each patient’s unique needs. This is an essential first step in making sure a patient’s treatment is successful.

MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a concept that combines traditional treatment methods, like counseling and behavioral therapy, with FDA-approved treatment medications. In order to provide a safer detox model, many drug detox centers in Massachusetts have adopted this gold-standard treatment approach of using medications to help support patients throughout detox.

According to SAMHSA, there are many ways patients can benefit from medication-assisted treatment (MAT), both before and after detox, including:

• Reduced cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• Improved patient retention in treatment
• Improved patient survival
• Decrease in illicit drug use after treatment
• Improved outcomes in pregnant mothers suffering from substance use disorder

The type(s) of medications prescribed will vary from one person to the next and depend on what type of substance patients are detoxing from.

Opioid detox medications:

• Methadone
• Suboxone
• Buprenorphine
• Subutex
• Cassipa
• Zubsolv
• Clonidine
• Naltrexone

Benzodiazepine detox medications:

*Benzodiazepine often involves a taper using long-lasting benzodiazepine medications. These are dispensed to patients in a controlled manner.

• Valium (diazepam)
• Klonopin (clonazepam)

Stimulant detox medications:

• Topiramate
• Gabapentin
• Baclofen
• Hydroxyzine
• Vigabatrin

All of these medications are prescribed and administered by a physician at the detox facility. Patients who are doing outpatient detox will need to come to the detox facility each morning for their medications, while residential detox programs provide around-the-clock medical supervision and support. Lastly, all of these medications are most effective when combined with a drug rehab program.

THERAPEUTIC SERVICES

There is a lot more that goes into staying sober than taking medications and passing the time. Withdrawals can be physically and psychologically painful. Drug detox centers in Massachusetts provide therapeutic services to help patients cope with their symptoms and get peer and professional support.

Additional services that may be offered during detox include:

• Holistic therapies (yoga, meditation, mindfulness, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic)
• Group counseling sessions
• Individual counseling sessions
• Mental health therapy and evaluations
• Treatment referral services
• 12-Step facilitation
• HIV/AIDS testing

TREATMENT PLANNING

Detox isn’t going to be enough to keep individuals sober as it is only the beginning of the treatment journey. Drug addiction is a complex and progressive disease that takes time, patients, and comprehensive healing. That’s why it is important to attend a full-service addiction treatment program after finishing detox.

Before patients are released from a drug detox facility, they will meet with a drug and alcohol counselor. This counselor will teach patients about their treatment options and help them determine what type of rehab and which level of care is right for them. Treatment after detox may consist of any or all of the following:

• Inpatient rehab (residential)
• Parietal hospitalization (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient programming (IOP)
• Outpatient programming (OP)
• Aftercare
• Sober living
• Alumni groups
• 12-Step groups

Drug detox centers only address the physical symptoms of withdrawal and prepare patients to begin treatment. Rehab centers, on the other hand, address the underlying causes of addiction and help patients learn how to overcome their substance abuse habits.