When you decide to stop using drugs, it’s difficult to find an effective starting point to your recovery. It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional or a college student with a drug problem. Finding that first stepping-stone to recovery is hard, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Learn why drug detox should be the first step on your path to recovery.

At Santé Center for Healing we believe it takes courage decide to stop using drugs, and we know it can be difficult to decide the next best steps. Please know—you do not have to do this alone. If you are researching drug detox, this might be your first treatment experience… but in 25 years of impact, this is not ours. You can trust in the expertise, compassion and commitment of Santé Center for Healing; we are here to guide you on your journey for drug detox and beyond.  

This decision is one of the most important of your life, as drug addiction is both chronic and progressive, and can be deadly disease.

What is a Drug Detox?

Woman Who Benefitted from Drug Detox

Many individuals remain uninformed about the drug detox process. It’s best achieved with professional clinical and medical supervision as the body experience substance withdrawal. With a significant chance of moderate to severe side effects, medical supervision makes the most sense. Without medical assistance and oversight, the symptoms are unpleasant and could even be life threatening. 

Trying to undergo this process without medical supervision can be dangerous. Remember, if you could just stop using, you would have already done so. There’s also the accompanying chance of physical side effects. Although it’s true that drug detox can be unpleasant, there’s no reason why clients have to suffer throughout the entire process.

Santé Center for Healing’s expert medical team monitors vitals, performs withdrawal assessments, and provides general medical care.   

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of FDA-approved medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. [Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration] MAT is primarily used for the treatment of addiction to opioids such as heroin and prescription pain relievers that contain opiates, but some address addiction to alcohol. Santé medications used in MAT are approved by the FDA; our customized treatment plans are clinically driven, medically informed and tailored to meet each individual’s needs.

Santé’s detox process usually involves three stages: intake, medication, and stabilization.

First, our Intake and Admissions clinicians conduct an initial and confidential assessment to establish the appropriate level of care. If medical detox is advised, Santé’s medical team completes a comprehensive review of the drug, medical, and mental health histories of clients. This is imperative for understanding and customizing treatment for each individual’s unique situation.

Second, the medical team monitors vitals, performs withdrawal assessments, and provides general medical care.  If our medical treatment staff deems it appropriate, medication may be administered to reduce symptom severity and the risk for complications.  

Finally, once the individual has completed detox successfully, usually between three days to two weeks, additional customized treatment plans will be outlined and discussed. Since the goal is long-term recovery, it is important that the individuals’ needs intersect with the right clinical therapy programs necessary to learn about their physical addiction and overcome the mental and emotional components of addiction. At Santé Center for Healing, we understand the importance of drug detox and strive to create a customized, evidence-based programming experience on which clients can count.

From Drug Detox to Rehab

It’s impossible to overemphasize the importance of a medically supervised drug detox. Getting sober is easier than staying sober. Santé’s detox is a natural transition into a residential level of care where clients come to realize that alcohol and other drugs are only a symptom of underlying problems or issues. These addiction treatment programs include:

Detox is an early step in assisting clients with recognizing why they initiated substance use and what their life’s possibilities are in long-term recovery. What happens after completing the detox phase? 

After Drug Detox

Santé Center for Healing offers individuals and their families a long-term, clinical recovery continuum of care spanning more acute medical and clinical needs to less acute therapeutic transitions. Options include:

  • Residential treatment provides 24 hour/day support 
  • Intensive outpatient treatment provides real-world access and exposure during the day with critical ongoing clinical structure and support in the evenings 
  • Family support groups that provide education, support and other services for  those who love someone in active addiction 
  • Transitional living that provides a highly-structured apartment-style living for those in early recovery 
  • Individual Therapy and Medication Management
  • Intensive Workshops
  • Relapse prevention to notice dangers of slipping or new stressors
  • Life-long alumni support 

In all levels of care:

  • An individualized treatment plan is developed and evolves
  • Progress milestones are gauged by individual goals achieved (not merely days in care)
  • Services received in an intimate, therapeutic, serene and supportive environment 
  • Families receive necessary education and empowerment for life-affirming possibilities found in long-term recovery. 

These are all critical ingredients in the recovery process, increasing the likelihood that gains made are reinforced and sustained for life-long recovery. 

Do You Need Help with a Substance Abuse Problem?

Are you struggling with an addiction right now? It takes courage to seek treatment for the overwhelming disease of addiction. We admire you for taking the first step towards recovery. Please know—you do not have to do this alone. This might be your first treatment experience… but in 25 years of impact, this is not ours. You can trust in the expertise, compassion and commitment of Santé Center for Healing; we are here to guide you on your journey. This decision is one of the most important of your life, as addiction is progressive, and can be a deadly disease.

It’s important that interested individuals and family members speak to a qualified clinician—like Santé’s master’s-level Intake and Admissions Counselors—rather than a call center operator. Addiction has no script, and neither should those to whom you reach out. Santé’s Intake and Admissions Counselors are knowledgeable about addiction, Santé’s clinical program, and ways to reduce treatment barriers. Their goal is to help individuals and families identify the next best steps. If Santé services intersect with the individual’s needs, they strive to make the admission process as smooth as possible for all involved. Call us today at 866.238.3154.