Article by:
Nicole Miller,
Special Programs Coordinator
Santé Center for Healing
Overcoming addiction doesn’t always start with going to residential treatment, it starts with detox. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most hospitals are being inundated with those dealing with and fearing they have COVID-19. An increase in COVID-19 doesn’t mean people will stop needing medical detox, having heart attacks, strokes and other traumatic injuries. The virus impact on hospital capacity is notable and throughout the headlines.
If you have a patient or client that is need of medical detox this is the time to refer them directly to Santé. We can assess for level of care needed, Santé’s availability, and even give referrals to quality stabilization facilities where a client or patient could start before returning to Santé for residential level of care. This will help with capacity of the hospital, prevent potential exposure, and allow the medical staff to help those in critical need due to COVID-19.
“Texas’ hospital capacity — the number of beds available per person in the general population — is about 2.9 beds per 1,000 Texans, according to state regulators. The U.S. rate is about 2.8 beds per 1,000 people. That’s less than the capacity of other countries that have already seen widespread transmission of coronavirus. Italy — where more than 2,100 [as of date of article, March 17] people have died from COVID-19 and the nation’s hospital system has been overwhelmed — has 3.2 beds per 1,000 people, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.”¹
Fortunately, Santé Center for Healing offers detox and a recovery continuum of care, including residential services, on the same beautiful and serene campus. Our medical detox program builds a strong foundation for recovery elements in residential treatment. Often the first level of programming for our patients, our on-site medical detox is staffed by the medical team, who is trained in helping patients cope with the withdrawal symptoms of early drug or alcohol abstinence. Santé’s medical experts understand how withdrawal works and why it’s so dangerous when individuals think they can do it alone. Without medical assistance and oversight, the withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant and could even be dangerous. Santé’s compassionate professionals help to reduce withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, aches and pains, cold sweats, cravings, insomnia and restlessness. The medical team monitors vitals, performs withdrawal assessments and provides general medical care. Medicines may be given to make symptoms less severe and decrease the risk for complications.
Learn more about our medical detox and other levels of care by calling us at 800.258.4250 today.
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Edgar Walters and Anna Novak, “Texas hospitals don’t have enough beds for coronavirus patients if too many people get sick at once,” The Texas Tribune, https://bit.ly/2JUYtsA
