If an individual is getting outpatient detox they must go to the facility assisting them with their detox daily or at minimum five days per week in most situations. Outpatient detox is either done in the daytime or evening, which makes it perfect for a person who must maintain a regular work or school schedule. Certain programs may also provide ways to receive treatment in a choice of regular outpatient or outpatient day treatment, to augment detox services and relapse prevention help.
An average time individuals remain in outpatient detoxification is approximately a week. A number of programs use medication assisted detox methods while others offer drug free detox services. There are times when medications are needed to avert life-threatening withdrawal problems, as is the case with alcohol and benzodiazepine medications where seizures are at times a problem. Otherwise, staff at the center help individuals handle their physical, emotional and psychological symptoms of cravings and withdrawal until they are safely detoxified and stabilized.
While outpatient detox in Lee is more flexible for obvious reasons, a very severe drawback is that individuals are at a higher risk of falling back into addiction due to the access they keep to drugs and alcohol. Ideally, clients will then go into a comprehensive treatment program to deal with the causes of their addiction once outpatient or inpatient detox is finished.