Detox in Wichita: Medical Detox vs. Social Detox

Have you heard of social detox? Most have not. The current prevailing form of detox in Wichita treatment is medical detox but it’s not the only approach used. While opinions vary on each, they both have their benefits and disadvantages. If you’re not sure which process is the right one for you, read on. 

Medical Detox

If you’re in Wichita, KS and looking for a medically supervised detox process that uses doctor prescribed medications and around-the-clock care in a hospital like setting, then you want medical detox. This approach to detoxification uses medicine, under the safety of medical staff, to manage withdrawal symptoms as they appear and protect against any medical complications. Typically employed by those with severe addictions and those with substance use disorders that include alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opiates. Attempting to detox off these substances without proper medical oversight is highly recommended and dangerous. 

Pros of Medical Detox

Safety: The biggest advantage of a medical approach to detox is that it provides a high-level of safety. Clients in medical detox are monitored 24/7 by licensed medical staff. Should any complications arise, they are always on hand to intervene and provide immediate and appropriate care. 

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Most drugs, when detoxing, present a myriad of withdrawal symptoms that occur. These features can be as minimal as obsessive thoughts of using, to lethal symptoms like seizures, hallucinations, and organ failure. Making use of medicines that control and minimize these side-effects of withdrawal can be crucial to the success rate of detox. There are also certain medications, such as Naloxone, that can be given upon the completion of detox to protect against cravings and relapse. 

Insurance Coverage: Insurance companies provide coverage for substance abuse based on a medical necessity model. This model ranks treatment services on a scale of how “medically necessary” they are to the client. If someone requires medical detox, they will most certainly have their procedure covered due to it being medically necessary for their health and safety. 

Cons of Medical Detox

Cost: While insurance coverage is usually provided for medical detox, in the event that it is not, the cost can be prohibitively expensive. With most detoxes costing, on average, $1000 a day, and lasting 7-10 days total, this treatment approach can be out of range for many. 

Limited Availability: The majority of detox programs in Witchita have a limited number of beds. This is to ensure quality control. It is difficult to provide the level of medical attention necessary to keep people safe, at scale. With addiction rates rising in Wichita, there is often a waitlist for admission. 

Social Detox

Unlike medical detox, social detox in Wichita, KS does not use any medication nor does it involve 24/7 medical supervision. Social detox allows clients to go through withdrawals unaided, while employing support through talk therapy. This approach is more suited for those with less severe addictions, and those without intense withdrawal symptoms or using drugs which might put them in physical danger should they stop use abruptly. 

Pros of Social Detox

Cost-Effective: Without the use of medications and medical staff, social detox is much less expensive than medical detox. It is a more accessible option for those without insurance or who may be facing financial difficulties.

Availability: Social detox programs, being less popular than medical detox, usually have a wider and more immediate availability. This allows those seeking help to get it immediately without having to wait. 

Cons of Social Detox

Risk of Complications: Withdrawal from any drug is not easy. Going through detox without the help of medication and medical staff increases the odds of medical complications. Should something happen, there are no doctors on site to address the problem. Clients have to be transported to a hospital.

Limited Support: The social detox model relies heavily on the client having a strong support network to make use of. Not everyone has this. Without a reliable and supportive set of resources, the effectiveness of social detox can be reduced. 

Lower Success Rate: In general, social detox systems have a lower rate of success when compared to medical detox. Rates of completion are low and relapse incidents are high. 

If you or a loved one is looking for detox services in Wichita, consider all the variables. Ask yourself how severe the addiction is, how long it’s been going on, and if, realistically, it can be overcome without the help of medical professionals. If you have tried to detox on your own before and failed, then medical detox is most assuredly for you. If you are still on the fence, call Holland Pathways in Wichita, KS and talk with their experienced staff about what the right options for you may be. Detox is just the first step on the journey to recovery, but if done correctly, will make all the difference in the long-term.