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Medical Detoxification

Safe and Effective

Detoxification

Used to be considered a treatment for Alcoholism and Addiction. Unfortunately 90% of people returned to drug or alcohol use in the first year. It was believed if you got the "toxins" out of the brain, its function would return to normal. This is simply not true. The brain adapts to ongoing drug use in an effort to return to normal function. When the drug is suddenly stopped or reduced, the adaptations cause withdrawal. We now know that with there are permanent changes in the brain that prolong abnormal function.

  • Outpatient withdrawal management from heroin, pain pills and fentanyl is safe, effective with minimal discomfort and at a fraction of the costs of inpatient treatment. This normally involves transitioning to MAT. Not providing MAT significantly increases the risk of overdose and death if drug use resumes. This is why I will not do this and recommend strongly against treatment centers that do. It's just not safe or effective.

  • Outpatient withdrawal management is also possible from alcohol if the withdrawal is mild. More severe withdrawal will need admission to a detox facility. I also strongly recommend the use of MAT in this situation as the success is proven.

  • Detoxification from benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, Soma, etc. is best done very slowly as an outpatient. If use is out of control, this is not possible and I recommend a detoxification center.

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