If someone is getting outpatient detox they travel to the facility helping them with their detoxification every day or at minimum five days a week in most cases. Outpatient detoxification services are either done in the evening or daytime, which makes it ideal for someone who needs to keep a normal school or work routine. Some programs also provide ways to get detox treatment in a choice of regular outpatient or outpatient day treatment, to augment detox services and help prevent a relapse.
An average time individuals participate in outpatient detoxification is approximately a week. A number of programs use medically assisted detoxification methods while others offer drug free detoxification services. There are times when meds are needed to prevent deadly withdrawal symptoms, as is the case with alcohol and benzodiazepine medications where seizures are sometimes a problem. Alternatively, medical staff at the center help people manage their emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms of cravings and withdrawal until they are safely detoxed and stabilized.
While outpatient detoxification in Polk is more adaptable for obvious reasons, a very severe disadvantage is that individuals are at a greater risk of relapse due to the access they maintain to drugs. Ideally, clients will then go into a full rehabilitation program to deal with the reasons for their addiction once outpatient or inpatient detoxification is complete.