INPATIENT ALCOHOL DETOX VS. OUTPATIENT ALCOHOL DETOX
The main factor that determines the effectiveness of alcohol detox is the severity of the addiction. For people suffering from mild addiction, outpatient detox may be sufficient. But for people with a severe addiction, inpatient detox may be necessary.
How Do I Choose an Alcohol Detox Program?
- Length of alcohol addiction or abuse
- Severity of alcohol abuse
- If the person has entered a detox or treatment program previously
- If the person is suffering from a co-occurring condition or co-morbid condition
- Level of support at home
- Insurance coverage or payment options
Typically though, it’s recommended that you should follow a medical professional’s advice in deciding what type of detox program to choose. Alcohol can cause severe withdrawal symptoms and for this reason, if it’s recommended that you attend an inpatient alcohol detox, you should seriously consider doing so.
Individuals suffering from more mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms they may not need inpatient detox and can utilize an outpatient detox. However, if that same person does not have a supportive home environment that will support their detox, it can still be ineffective.
What is Alcohol Detox?
There are two types of alcohol detox programs: outpatient and inpatient. Outpatient detox allows the person to remain at home while receiving the necessary medications and medical support. Inpatient programs require the person to stay at a facility for the duration of treatment to manage withdrawal symptoms more effectively.
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Pros & Cons of Inpatient Detox
For more severe cases of alcohol abuse, an inpatient alcohol detox is typically recommended to manage withdrawals. These symptoms can include seizures, psychosis, and hallucinations. If not alcohol withdrawal symptoms are not managed effectively they can be fatal.
- 24/7 care managing your comfort during withdrawals
- On-call staff to answer any and all questions during your stay to ease your fears
- Facility amenities to help you relax like therapy, yoga, or meditation
- Removal from your living situation
ur body of substance dependency, specifically at our Houston medical detox facility. This is achieved through a series of medically administered medications, as well as mental and physical cleansing to combat withdrawals. Completing our detox programs gives you the upper hand on the remainder of your recovery journey.
While inpatient detox seems to be the safer, more complete option there are some drawbacks, however:
- It can be expensive
- Requires you to be away from home for an extended period of time
- Inpatient detox takes place in a hospital setting, which can be intimidating for some
If you have lots of responsibilities at home it can be difficult to find the time to stay at an inpatient facility. Also, many people benefit from having loved ones around them for support during detox, which would make an outpatient alcohol detox more attractive.
Pros & Cons of Outpatient Detox
Outpatient detox provides many of the same benefits as inpatient detox, but it allows you to stay at home and maintain your normal daily routine. This can be a huge advantage if you have a job or family obligations that you can’t miss. Outpatient detox typically lasts for less than a week. However, this is also dependent on your level of alcohol addiction.
- Live in the comfort of your own home
- Less expensive than inpatient alcohol detox
- Ability to continue daily responsibilities
There are some drawbacks to outpatient detox, however. Because you are not in a controlled environment, it can be more difficult to avoid triggers and stay away from temptation. Outpatient detox also requires a high level of motivation and discipline, as there is no one there to make sure you stay on track. If you don’t have a strong support system in place, outpatient detox may not be the best option.
Is Inpatient or Outpatient Detox More Effective?
Both inpatient and outpatient alcohol detox are effective options. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The most effective detox program is the one that meets your individual needs. If you have strong support from people who love you and want to help you in your recovery outpatient detox may work well for you. If you feel like you need more structure and support, inpatient detox may be a better option.
Ultimately, the goal of any detox program is to help you safely and effectively rid your body of alcohol so that you can begin a journey to recovery. Whichever type of detox program you choose, the most important thing is that you get the help you need to start living a sober, healthy life.
Do I Really Need a Professional Alcohol Detox Program?
The Steps of an Alcohol Detox Program
The first step in any detox program is an evaluation. This is important in order to ensure that you are receiving the level of care best suited to your individual needs. A professional will assess your health, alcohol use history, and current withdrawal symptoms to determine what kind of detox protocol will work best for you.
If you choose to detox at home, you will not have access to the same level of medical care as inpatient detox. At an inpatient facility they will be regularly checking in with you to make sure you’re comfortable and your vital signs are normal. If you choose an outpatient detox you’ll be checking in daily with medical professionals, and at that time they can make adjustments to your medications.
Detox is only the first step in an addiction treatment plan. In order to fully recover from addiction, a comprehensive treatment program is necessary. Similar to a detox, there are inpatient and outpatient options for treatment. Also similar to detox, you should follow the treatment recommendations from medical professionals in order to have the best chance of recovery.
Outpatient detox programs may offer some therapies to help prepare you for treatment, but they are not as comprehensive as the ones offered in an inpatient detox program. Inpatient detox programs generally offer a wider range of therapies designed to prepare you for treatment.