Medical Detox for Drugs or Alcohol: What to Expect

There are three fundamental components of an effective medical detoxification program:²

• Evaluation – Professionals assess the patient on their medical and psychological state. Patients are screened for co-occurring mental health conditions, and blood tests are conducted to determine the presence of substances in the bloodstream. This step helps determine appropriate medical during detox and may inform appropriate treatment interventions once detox is complete.
• Stabilization – Medical professionals assist patients in managing the symptoms of intoxication and withdrawal until the detox process is complete. Medications may be used to help manage the symptoms and prevent complications.
• Fostering entry into treatment – Patients are educated on substance use disorder treatment options and the long-term benefits of participating in ongoing addiction treatment after medical detoxification.

At our inpatient addiction treatment facility in Mississippi, we offer inpatient medical detox at our rehab campus in Etta and at our outpatient rehab campus nearby in Oxford. Your clinical team will work with you to determine which setting is right for your individual needs.

During medical detox, individuals stay in semi-private rooms while being monitored by a medical team 24/7. This intensive level of care is comprised of:

• Experienced nursing staff. Our team of compassionate nurses makes frequent rounds and does everything it can to make you as comfortable as possible during detox.
• Constant monitoring. All of the beds at Oxford’s detox facilities are equipped with EarlySense™. This revolutionary technology is a noninvasive monitoring system that continuously checks patients’ vital signs using sensors placed beneath the beds. The system alerts staff of any concerning irregularities.
• Medications. Medications such as Suboxone (often used for opioid withdrawal) may be used to relieve symptoms and cravings during the detoxification process as needed.² At Oxford, our medical team does regular checks on all patients and will administer prescription and over-the-counter medications when appropriate.²

Patients in medical detox at Oxford Treatment Center—whether at our Etta or Oxford campus—participate in all-day therapeutic programming right away unless medically unable to do so. Our rehab facilities in Mississippi employ evidence-based therapies that teach patients key skills to support their recovery.

How Long Does Medically Assisted Drug & Alcohol Detox Last?

On average, Oxford Treatment Center’s medical detox program lasts 5 to 7 days, but each patient’s detox timeframe varies based on the severity of withdrawal/intoxication and the types of substances used.² Some substances, such as benzodiazepines, are associated with a relatively lengthy withdrawal syndrome, and patients may require several weeks of detox and withdrawal management.³

Detoxification is commonly followed by a therapeutic program, which can extend the duration of treatment. Because Oxford offers inpatient medical detox at both our residential and outpatient campuses, patients can make an easy transition to the next level of care that is right for them.

What Happens After Medical Detox in Rehab?

Medical detox is often the first step in the continuum of care for substance use disorders. ⁴ At Oxford, we encourage patients to continue their recovery program after detox by participating in another form of addiction treatment.

Fortunately, Oxford offers many treatment types, so whatever you need—be it inpatient or outpatient treatment—we have it at either our Etta, MS, rehab or our Oxford outpatient and sober living location.

Oxford Treatment Center offers a complete continuum of care beyond detox, allowing patients to choose from the following levels of addiction treatment:

• Inpatient addiction treatment, commonly known as residential treatment, where patients live at the facility 24/7 and participate in all-day programming, which may include group therapy, drug education, skills training, and individual therapy.
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP), where patients attend 4- to 6-hour blocks of treatment 5-7 days a week and return home afterward.
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP), in which patients live at home while attending 4-hours of treatment 3-5 days each week at the facility.
• Standard outpatient addiction treatment, which represents the least intensive type of outpatient care and involves treatment scheduled as needed.
• Sober living, wherein patients live independently in a sober residence where resources and outpatient programs are available to support their transition back to their normal routine.

How long each patient spends in treatment depends on their individual needs and may range from a short-term rehab program to 30 days of rehab or long-term addiction treatment.

During every level of treatment, the clinical team at our Mississippi rehab for addiction will work with you on rehab aftercare planning to ensure you have lasting support in your recovery.