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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.