If a person is getting outpatient detox they must go to the center helping them with their detoxification every day or at least five days a week in most situations. Outpatient detox services are either done in the daytime or evening, which makes it perfect for a person who needs to maintain a regular school or work schedule. Certain programs may offer options to participate in detox treatment in either normal outpatient or outpatient day treatment, to augment detox services and try to prevent relapse.
An average time individuals remain in outpatient detox is approximately 7 days. Some programs use medically assisted detoxification approaches while others provide drug free detox services. There are times when meds are necessary to prevent life-threatening withdrawal problems, like with alcohol and benzodiazepine medications where seizures are at times a problem. Otherwise, medical staff at the program help individuals handle their emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms of cravings and withdrawal until they are detoxified and stabilized.
While outpatient detoxification in Kent is more adaptable for apparent reasons, a very severe drawback is that clients are at a greater risk of falling back into addiction due to the access they maintain to alcohol and drugs. Ideally, clients will transition into a log-term or short-term recovery program to address the causes of their addiction once outpatient or inpatient detoxification is complete.