Detoxification Services

We provide inpatient and outpatient services that are individualized to the medical needs and safety of each individual patient.  Many people underestimate the degree of physical dependence they have and the risks and complications they may face.  These risks are difficult to assess via e-mail, fax or telephone, and should be evaluated in a personal visit.

We provide a variety of different detoxification services that take into consideration  a variety of factors including the following:

• The drug of dependence
  a.  alcohol
  b.  opioids
  c.  sedative/hypnotics
  d.  stimulants and others
• Degree of physical dependence
• Number of previous attempts at detoxification.  When and where? 
• Periods of sobriety in the past
• Previous rehabilitation services
• Willingness to continue the recovery process after detoxification.
• Insurance coverage and benefits

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Alcohol detoxification is potentially life threatening and needs close medical monitoring and supervision.  It is very rare for an alcoholic to safely detoxify themselves, as there is great danger in mixing alcohol and medication.  Withdrawal seizures and delirium tremens are very rare with medically monitored detoxification.  

Office Based Alcohol Detoxification Program
We have a program for outpatient alcohol detoxification, available for a subset of patients.  

PROMETA Protocol for Alcohol Relapse Prevention: We are licensed to administer the PROMETA Protocol for relapse prevention for alcohol dependence.

Call 1-866-321-6558 for additional information.

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Opioids including heroin, methadone, Vicodin^®(hydrocodone), Dilaudid^® (hydromorphone), Oxycontin® can all be associated with incapacitating withdrawal symptoms.  Many patients experience a high degree of craving after quitting and high relapse rates.

Detoxification can be done as an inpatient at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center or through our office as part of an Outpatient Opioid Detoxification Protocol.

All of our physicians are certified to prescribe Suboxone^® for opioid detoxification and maintenance. We use Suboxone to medically manage opioid dependent pregnant patients.

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Sedative / Hypnotics include most sleeping pills and the minor tranquilizers in the barbituate and the benzodiazepine category (Valium®, Xanax®, Ativan®, Dalmane®, Restoril®, Klonepin® and others).  Stopping them abruptly can lead to withdrawal seizures or severe toxic psychosis requiring emergency hospitalization.

We do inpatient detoxification for sedative-hypnotics at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center. Patients are typically stabilized on Phenobarbital substitution over 4-6 days and then complete tapering as an out patient.

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Cocaine and amphetamines very addicting psychoactive stimulants and usually do not require medically monitored or supervised detoxification.   People addicted to these substances often need a "safe place" to stay when they need to quit or come down from stimulant use.

We are licensed to administer the PROMETA Protocol for the prevention of relapse to stimulants.

 
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