Medical Detoxification
Hanley Center’s drug and alcohol detoxification process is unique from other programs because of the highly individualized detox care that each patient receives.
When a patient is admitted to Hanley Center, he or she will first go to the detoxification unit where the initial medical phase of the recovery process begins. Detoxification is the period of time in which a patient physically withdraws from the use of his drug of choice, be it alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, opiates (such as Vicodin, OxyContin, morphine, heroin), benzodiazepines (such as Klonopin, Xanax, Valium, Ativan), etc.
A nurse will conduct an in-depth assessment of how much and how often the patient was using his or her drugs of choice. Then the patient is monitored closely for symptoms of withdrawal and, if necessary, given medications to ease the symptoms.
Medical Detoxification - What to Expect
Hanley Center’s drug and alcohol detoxification process is highly individualized care that each patient receives. After being admitted to Hanley Center, the patient will first go to the nursing unit, which is supervised by a physician and staffed around the clock by registered nurses. A nurse will conduct an initial nursing assessment of amount, frequency and duration of use.
This comprehensive assessment covers the patient’s- history of substance abuse
- consequences of use
- previous treatments
- use and abuse of prescribed medications
- medical history
- and includes screenings for nutrition, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases
The patient is then monitored closely and symptoms of withdrawal and, if necessary, given medications to ease those symptoms. Within 24 hours, the patient is re-evaluated by the nurse practitioner or doctor and receives a full history and physical examination.
Medications Used in Detox
When a patient arrives in the detox unit, a nurse will conduct an in-depth assessment of how much and how often the patient was using his or her drugs of choice.
Based on which drugs and how much of each drug the patient was using, he may be given medications to ease symptoms such as tremors, insomnia, restlessness, rapid pulse, elevated blood pressure, muscle cramping, nausea, anxiety and other typical symptoms. Patients will be detoxed with a variety of medications including Ativan, methadone and Subutex. Additional medications will be prescribed as needed.
