No matter at what point they are in their lives, a person suffering from addiction should always be lauded and praised if they have decided to seek help, whether they go through with the whole process or not. While they could be considering a swarm of options to cope with withdrawal, one should bear in mind that detox is never easy. Being an umbrella term, detoxification can be widely separated into some major categories, which include inpatient detox and ambulatory detox. Both yield amazing results, but it is important to understand some vital facts about ambulatory detoxification, which is mainly outpatient rehab, with the benefits of inpatient rehab in a less restrictive, more economical environment. These facts aim to help the patient and their loved ones to decide what kind of treatment is feasible and preferable for them.
Favourable for early-stage addicts.
Despite being an effective method of treatment, ambulatory detoxification is preferable for patients who are in the early stages of addiction. As this treatment does not bind you to the rehabilitation center for days on end, the patient is expected to follow through all exercises included in the treatment, and people who still possess some sort of self-control are best suitable to deal with leaving the premises.
Only the patient can judge the actual intensity of their addiction.
Once a patient has made the decision to seek help, the next step is to accurately determine how much water they’re in. In other words, they need to carefully judge the level of their addiction and opt for the appropriate method of treatment based on analysis. This fact is crucial because ambulatory detoxification is not auspicious for those who engage in heavy or daily substance abuse. Under such circumstances, it is better to choose an inpatient detox facility.
A thorough physical exam will still be mandatory.
Although the previous fact holds incredible credibility, it does not rule out the possibility of the patient going through a comprehensive medical exam. It isn’t always easy for the patient to detect the early signs of addiction, or accurately judge the damage caused by substance abuse. This is where the facility’s physical exam is deemed necessary, as they will determine the current state of your health, and decide if ambulatory detoxification really is the way to go.
A person to monitor you at all times will be crucially required.
As mentioned earlier, with this method of treatment, the patient is not bound to a rehabilitation center and are allowed to return to the confinement of their home after your session every day. During the entire course of the treatment, be it a week or more, the patient is required to have a dedicated person around who will be instructed to observe signs of weakness or dangerous withdrawal moments.
Unsupervised environments will be tricky.
Not being confined to a rehabilitation center every moment of the day might have its perks and more freedom, but it can also prove to be somewhat unsettling for some. Being out in the world, the patient is exposed to all kinds of unsupervised settings, some of which might end up tempting them to use and abuse. This could be dangerous and may hinder the treatment process by taking them back to square one.
Final Thoughts
There are definitely pros and cons to ambulatory detox. However, ambulatory detoxification has a massive success rate and has helped patients stay sober on a monumental level. Remember to take things one step at a time.