Detoxification

Heavy and sustained drug and alcohol use takes an enormous physical and emotional toll on a person. A detoxification, or withdrawal, needs to occur before an individual can benefit from rehabilitation. Medical supervision is necessary because withdrawal from alcohol and/or drugs can be life-threatening. Various medications may be used to reduce withdrawal and physical discomfort while physical status is monitored.

For patients admitted to our residential programs, a detoxification period is required, with length varying by the individual's needs. Outpatient detoxification services are also available for addiction to pain medications, narcotics and other opiates — medically supervised, whether clients live at home or on campus.

The first hours and days are crucial

Substance abuse causes extreme changes in the chemical balance of the brain and body, so the first priority is detoxification from toxins and their by-products. Support and medical supervision during the first few hours or days of abstinence, when withdrawal is physically overwhelming and dangerous, is one of the many reasons someone would entrust their own or a loved one's life into our care.

The individual's mental, physical, emotional and spiritual needs are addressed, alongside those of the family who bore the burden of their addiction. We also provide a support program to help prevent relapse.

A typical day in residential treatment

Patients experience a full day of therapy, education and fellowship, typically starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m., and may include:

• Morning meditation followed by mealtime and fellowship
• Educational lectures followed by a group meeting for processing the lecture
• Review of usage history
• Twelve Step groups
• Special group meetings tailored to individual needs — leisure skills, anger management, stress management, rational emotive therapy, relaxation and exercise
• Individual appointments as needed with a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or other member of the multidisciplinary team
• Wellness activities, such as biofeedback
• Personal time for reflection, including reading and individual treatment assignments