What is an outpatient detox?

Outpatient detox 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. Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

What should I expect from 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 and asking a lot of questions about your substance use, as well as your past and present medical and psychiatric problems. We know this can be difficult to share 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 that they take as prescribed and never abuse. Unlike most inpatient programs that 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. Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

What do withdrawal symptoms look like during detox?

Withdrawal symptoms can differ in intensity from person to person, depending upon the severity of the addiction and the substance(s) they're addicted to. In addition, unique and personal factors can influence withdrawal symptoms, like underlying health conditions and mental health disorders. Wave Treatment Centers are 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 to 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 for you. Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

What are the benefits of outpatient detox?

The main benefit of outpatient detox 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, which makes it more affordable for people who do not have detox insurance coverage. In addition, a patient gets the following benefits during outpatient detox in Chestnut Hill: Emotional health support from therapists and counselors Medications that 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. Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

How do I choose the detox program that's right for me?

Outpatient detox is not right for everyone. It is best suited to people who will have mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. Those with more severe withdrawal symptoms are often better served by 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. Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

Does insurance cover outpatient detox?

While every insurance plan is different, many insurance companies offer coverage for outpatient detox. If you are considering detox for your alcohol or opioid depency, our caring staff will help you determine what your options are for insurance or other payment plans. Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

Outpatient Detox

Outpatient Detox Programs

Drug & Alcohol Treatment in Chestnut Hill

Use of 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 that describes medically assisted withdrawal, and it's 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 program is a safe and convenient option.

Dr. Jonathan Beatty of Wave Treatment Centers in Chestnut Hill, PA 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 and directly oversees the medical team to ensure you receive the best possible care and the best possible outcome.

Outpatient Detox FAQ >>

"If you are a candidate for an outpatient detox, we will make sure you have a clear understanding of the medications we are prescribing and how to use them. We are available after hours during detoxes to manage concerns if they arise."

Dr. Jonathan Beatty, Founder

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Dr. Jonathan Beatty

Founder

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Outpatient Detox FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an outpatient detox?

Outpatient detox 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.

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.
What should I expect from 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 and asking a lot of questions about your substance use, as well as your past and present medical and psychiatric problems. We know this can be difficult to share 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 that they take as prescribed and never abuse. Unlike most inpatient programs that 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.

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.
What do withdrawal symptoms look like during detox?
Withdrawal symptoms can differ in intensity from person to person, depending upon the severity of the addiction and the substance(s) they're addicted to. In addition, unique and personal factors can influence withdrawal symptoms, like underlying health conditions and mental health disorders. Wave Treatment Centers are 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 to 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 for you.

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.
What are the benefits of outpatient detox?
The main benefit of outpatient detox 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, which makes it more affordable for people who do not have detox insurance coverage.

In addition, a patient gets the following benefits during outpatient detox in Chestnut Hill:
- Emotional health support from therapists and counselors
- Medications that 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.

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.
How do I choose the detox program that's right for me?

Outpatient detox is not right for everyone. It is best suited to people who will have mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. Those with more severe withdrawal symptoms are often better served by 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.

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.
Does insurance cover outpatient detox?

While every insurance plan is different, many insurance companies offer coverage for outpatient detox.

If you are considering detox for your alcohol or opioid depency, our caring staff will help you determine what your options are for insurance or other payment plans.

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

I just want a to thank Dr. Beatty for the dignity and humanity he with which I was treated during the early phase of my recovery. You probably don’t remember me, man, but I’m the dude who OD'ed and his fiancé left him and yet I came in for a Vivatrol shot the very next day. That was hell- but the sense of optimism and, dare I say pride you instilled in me helped me keep the faith.

Aaron J.