Outpatient Detox in Philadelphia

Alcohol and certain drugs (like benzodiazepines, opiates, and kratom) can have serious and even life-threatening consequences if stopped abruptly without medical intervention. Detox is a word for medically assisted withdrawal and is the first stage for anyone dependent on one or more of these substances. While a hospital setting may be necessary, many times an outpatient detox such as ours in Philadelphia, PA is a safe and convenient option.

Dr. Jonathan Beatty is Board Certified in Addiction Medicine and has been providing outpatient detoxes since 2013. Dr. Beatty is highly experienced and has successfully detoxed hundreds of patients. He has developed protocols for safe and comfortable outpatient detox options which offer minimal disruption to your daily life.

Dr. Beatty created the outpatient detox program at Wave Treatment Centers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and directly oversees the medical team to ensure you receive the best possible care and the best possible outcome.

Don’t Delay. Contact Wave Treatment Centers now to see if you or a loved one are a candidate for outpatient detox in Philadelphia.

Call: (866) 356-1955

What is an Outpatient Detox in Philadelphia?

Outpatient detox in Philadelphia helps people deal with the physical as well as the mental effects of withdrawal. Withdrawal often involves unpleasant symptoms that can lead people to relapse on drugs or alcohol for relief. Consequently, in some cases, withdrawal can even pose a danger to their health. Therefore, detoxing under the care of the medical professionals at Wave Treatment Centers helps patients get better safely with medical and psychological support.

Most detox programs are inpatient as opposed to outpatient. Inpatient allows patients to stay at the facility 24 hours a day. Outpatient detox, on the other hand, allows for more flexibility. Here, a patient can receive care while living in the comfort of their own home, or attending school or work.

During outpatient detox, patients come into the treatment center to be monitored for physical signs and symptoms of withdrawal as well as the emergence of any psychological symptoms. In addition, they might be prescribed medications to manage their withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse. Thus, outpatient detox offers support from professionals who hold patients accountable for their recovery goals.

What to Expect From an Outpatient Detox

Outpatient detox begins with a medical evaluation. Wave Treatment Centers understands that this is a difficult time for you. We make every effort to ensure you are comfortable during this process. The evaluation involves taking a very detailed history asking a lot of questions about your substance use, past and present medical and psychiatric problems. We know this can be difficult and want you to know that with our non-judgmental approach, you will be treated with respect, compassion and empathy.

The next step involves a physical examination to identify any immediate needs and assess what level of detox you might need. From there an individualized treatment plan will be developed and reviewed extensively with you to ensure that all of your questions are answered.

This treatment plan typically involves the prescription of medications specific to the withdrawal state of the substance or substances that you are ready to stop taking. The doses and frequencies are specifically tailored to meet your unique physiology.

At Wave Treatment Centers we do not automatically discontinue all “controlled substances” that you may be prescribed if they are outside of the problem of addiction. For example, some patients may be prescribed stimulants or anti-anxiety medications which they take as prescribed and never abuse. Unlike most inpatient programs who take away all medications even if they are helping, we look at the whole picture to assess what is in your best interest to achieve success.

This also means that we support and provide Medication Assisted Treatment when appropriate. We offer long-acting injectable forms of naltrexone and buprenorphine to support your recovery. Last but not least, we see how they dramatically reduce relapse rates.

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Withdrawal Symptoms During Outpatient Detox in Philadelphia

Withdrawal symptoms can differ in intensity from person to person, depending upon the severity of addiction and the substance. In addition, unique and personal factors can influence withdrawal symptoms, like health conditions or underlying mental health disorders. Wave Treatment Centers is able to manage and significantly reduce withdrawal symptoms; however, most people should expect some form of withdrawal during outpatient detox.

Common withdrawal symptoms include the following:

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Appetite changes
Sleeping problems
Trouble thinking
Mood swings
Irritability
Anxiety and depression
Fatigue
Sweating
Fever or chills
Tremors

Untreated withdrawal from alcohol and benzodiazepines can cause seizures. Moreover, in time it can also cause a more severe state known as “delirium tremens,” which requires hospital admission in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Symptoms of delirium tremens can include:

Seizures
Severe confusion
Sleeping for a day or more
Hallucinations
Heart and breathing problems

With a severe addiction or when combining multiple drugs, a person is at a higher risk of having intense withdrawal symptoms. Thus, some people are better suited for the high level of support of an inpatient detox program. Therefore, it is important to understand the differences between inpatient and outpatient detox to select the best program.

What are the Differences Between Inpatient and Outpatient Detox Programs?

The main difference between inpatient and outpatient detox programs is where a patient lives during treatment. For instance, during inpatient detox, a person would remain in a facility day and night, throughout their treatment. Outpatient detox, however, allows a person to live at home or another place outside of the treatment center.

An inpatient detox is a much more restrictive environment but a patient receives round-the-clock care and supervision. This level of care can support those with severe withdrawal symptoms or other health concerns. For instance, a person detoxing from prescription opioids might have a medical condition that led to their addiction. Hence, during detox, they might want medical staff nearby to monitor all their symptoms and provide comfort.

On the other hand, outpatient detox can be less restrictive, as a patient lives at home throughout treatment. While they will need to come into the treatment center for evaluation and assessments they can sleep at home each night. It is important to disclose possible sources of relapse so that an outpatient detox program can also minimize this risk. It is often helpful to have a family member or supportive friend involved in the process to help keep you on track.

The Benefits of an Outpatient Detox in Philadelphia

The main benefit of outpatient detox in Philadelphia is that it gives patients the freedom to go home every day. This means that they can still participate in their everyday lives, including participating in family activities, holding down a job, or going to school. An outpatient detox program is also typically far less expensive than an inpatient detox program. Therefore, it is more affordable for people who do not have detox insurance coverage.

In addition, a patient gets the following benefits during outpatient detox in Philadelphia:

Emotional health support from therapists and counselors
Medications can help with severe withdrawal symptoms from alcohol, benzodiazepine and opioid use disorders
Increased accountability to prevent relapse
Monitoring of symptoms to ensure withdrawal symptoms are manageable
Medical support to decrease the risk of complications
Aftercare services for continuing treatment after detox

These benefits help a person begin healing after active addiction or relapse.

How to Choose the Right Type of Detox Program

Outpatient detox is not right for everyone. It is best suited to people who will have mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. Thus, those with more severe withdrawal symptoms are best monitored and treated at inpatient detox. Other factors that may make inpatient detox more appropriate include relapsing during previous outpatient detox programs, unstable housing, pregnancy, or serious medical conditions like a seizure disorder or severe mental health conditions.

Wave Treatment Centers can evaluate and determine if outpatient detox is the right level of care. We consider (but are not limited to) the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Placement Criteria and ALWAYS consider your safety our first and only priority.