Outpatient Alcohol Detox Centers
Outpatient alcohol detox centers provide many of the same services as inpatient detox centers except they cannot provide around the clock supervision and they do not offer a place for the addict to live during the detoxification process. For those who suffer from severe alcohol addiction or alcoholism, outpatient alcohol detox centers may not be able to provide enough medical monitoring to assure the safety of the individual, but for the 95% of people who suffer only minor alcohol detox symptoms, outpatient alcohol detox centers are an excellent and safe option.
Services Offered at Outpatient Alcohol Detox Centers
The services provided at outpatient alcohol detox centers generally range from medication administration, alcohol screenings, counseling and therapy as well as various social support services. Most outpatient alcohol detox centers have a trained physician on staff that can provide medication for individuals during the alcohol detox process. Some of the most common medications used during alcohol detox are barbiturates and benzodiazepines but other types of medication may also be prescribed to help the addict through the alcohol detoxification process and to help alleviate some of the painful or uncomfortable symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Various types of counseling are offered at outpatient alcohol detox centers including individual counseling and group counseling. Many outpatient alcohol detox centers provide group counseling and meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous or other types of alcohol counseling. Additionally, individual counseling and therapy sessions may be provided to help the addict work through any psychological problems that they may have as a result of the alcoholism or which may be at the root cause of the alcoholism.
Who Can Outpatient Alcohol Detox Centers Help?
While not everyone is a good candidate for an outpatient alcohol detox, the majority of those who suffer from addiction to alcohol can safely be treated on an outpatient basis. Unfortunately, outpatient alcohol detox centers cannot provide around the clock medical monitoring and intervention when necessary which makes them not the best option for individuals who suffer from certain medical conditions in addition to alcoholism or for those who have been addicted to alcohol for a very long time. These individuals are best treated at an inpatient alcohol detox center where they can be monitored and medical intervention can quickly take place in the event of an emergency.
95% of individuals who suffer from alcoholism will not suffer from severe alcohol detox symptoms and do not require extreme medical intervention during alcohol detox. These individuals can safely be monitored and treated by outpatient alcohol detox centers. Outpatient alcohol detox centers can provide social support and guidance as well as certain medications during alcohol detox to make the whole process go more smoothly. Additionally, many outpatient alcohol detox centers also offer various medications that will make drinking less pleasurable for the individual and can even make them sick if they drink.
The majority of the population can be safely treated at an outpatient alcohol detox center. If you or someone you love needs help to stop drinking, alcohol detox centers can help by providing safe, effective treatment as well as the guidance and support you need to stay sober.