Detox Programs

A progressive detox program can represent a fresh start in life — and the foundation for a successful recovery. ARS detox programs utilize the latest evidence-based resources to make the detoxification process as safe, comfortable and effective as possible. Instead of adhering to an outdated abstinence model, we offer medication-assisted detox to help relieve the symptoms of withdrawal, giving our clients the optimal chance at success.

With a staff of experts to provide encouragement and motivation, our clients benefit from the very best in detox treatment. Once the chemicals have been cleansed from their system, we help them make a smooth transition to the next phase of their recovery program.

Medical detox is the first stage in the ARS continuum of care. Our dedicated detox facility provides comprehensive services for clients suffering from the effects of chemical intoxication. We specialize in treating the following addictive disorders:

Alcohol remains one of the most widely abused drugs in the United States. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, over 7 percent of American adults — approximately 17 million — had a problem with alcohol as of 2012. Close to 88,000 Americans die of alcohol-related causes every year. However, only a relatively small percentage of Americans with a drinking problem get the treatment they need to overcome alcoholism and lead healthy, fulfilling lives. At ARS, we offer advanced detox interventions that can literally change our clients’ futures.

Prescription drug misuse is now surpassing illicit drug abuse as a public health threat in the United States. The World Health Organization reports that prescription drug misuse has become a global problem, especially in the U.S., where prescription drugs are the most frequently abused substances after marijuana. Commonly abused prescription drugs include pain relievers, sedatives, tranquilizers and sleeping pills, all of which can be just as dangerous as illicit drugs when they are used for nonmedical reasons.

Used for centuries as powerful pain-relieving drugs, opiates are also highly addictive. Drugs in this family include natural and synthetic substances derived from opium, including heroin, morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone and many others. According to the journal Pain Physician, over 5 million Americans misused pain relievers in 2012. As central nervous system depressants, opiates pose a high risk of overdose, especially when they are taken along with alcohol or other drugs.

Withdrawing from alcohol, prescription drugs, or opiates without medical assistance is not only uncomfortable; it can also be dangerous. ARS detox programs provide 24-hour monitoring by experienced professionals who are trained to identify and treat the signs and symptoms of drug or alcohol withdrawal.

When a client enters our detox program, our priority is to get the individual medically stable. Our clinical staff monitors each client around the clock, checking vital signs and neurological status, to prevent the adverse effects of chemical withdrawal. Symptoms are managed using medications that help relieve the side effects of withdrawal, such as anxiety, nausea, agitation, muscle and bone pain, chills and cravings. With alcohol withdrawal, medical staff must monitor for delirium, high blood pressure, seizures and other dangerous symptoms. Nutritional replacement and rehydration may also be required for clients who have become malnourished or dehydrated as a result of substance abuse.

In the past, individuals going through detox were expected to stay abstinent without any pharmaceutical assistance, “toughing it out” through the worst of their withdrawal symptoms. At ARS, we’ve rejected this abstinence model in favor of a more progressive, compassionate approach: medication-assisted detox. To reduce the negative side effects of withdrawal and promote a drug-free lifestyle, we utilize medications like buprenorphine (Suboxone), a drug used to treat opiate addiction, and naltrexone (Vivitrol), a medication prescribed to reduce the craving for alcohol or opiates.

The next important goal of detoxification is to motivate the client to continue the recovery process. Once the client is mentally clear enough to respond to therapy, they are encouraged to move on to the next stage of rehab: residential or inpatient treatment. Within the ARS network, individuals can easily advance from one phase of recovery to the next. Our therapists and case managers make this transition easier by assisting with the necessary arrangements. This intervention increases the client’s chances of completing an entire rehab program successfully.

Our detox programs are conducted in beautifully appointed treatment facilities. Clients stay at the center full-time as the drugs are cleared from their system. Our Florida facilities are conveniently located, with easy access to transportation, shopping centers, cultural venues, and recreational attractions. As with all of our treatment centers, our detox units are designed to encourage health and wellness on all levels, empowering our clients on their path to recovery.

To make progressive detox services as accessible as possible, we keep our programs cost-effective and reasonably priced, and we accept most types of insurance.

While a certain percentage of our clients are self-referred, many come to us on the request of family physicians, emergency room doctors, psychiatrists, substance abuse counselors, or family therapists. We work closely with health professionals within the community to expedite admissions in acute cases, and to collaborate in treatment planning. Throughout treatment, we can provide updates on your patient, per your request.

Detoxification is a highly individual process. Some clients require a treatment period of seven to 14 days, while others require 28 days or more. The length of treatment depends on a number of important factors, including:

• The person’s physical and psychological status
• The length of time the client has been using substances
• The amount of alcohol or drugs that the client is using
• Whether the client misuses multiple drugs
• Co-occurring medical or psychiatric conditions

Length of stay at ARS facilities is determined not by externally imposed guidelines, but by the client’s needs. Clients are evaluated and carefully assessed at the intake stage in order to develop a client-specific plan of care. This plan of care may change through the course of treatment, depending on the client’s progress.

Detox is a critical phase in the recovery process. In the beginning, there is a high risk of complications from withdrawal, especially with alcohol, certain tranquilizers, and opiates. Our specialized treatment plans are prescribed and monitored by physicians, and overseen by nurses and health technicians who are trained in recovery services. Clinical staff are present at the detox center 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure the safety and comfort of our clients.

Completing a detox program represents a victory in the client’s efforts to build a healthy, sober life. However, detox is just the beginning of the recovery process. In order to maintain the health benefits of detoxification and to advance in sobriety, clients continue to the next stage of therapy. At a residential treatment center, partial hospitalization program, or intensive outpatient program, the deeper work of recovery can begin.

As part of the ARS full continuum of care, we facilitate the transition from detox to the next appropriate level of treatment. To learn more about how our advanced solutions could benefit you or someone you care about, contact the admissions team at one of our facilities today.