Another Detox Opening, Why???

I know some of you may have read this title and thought to yourself, “Jeez, is this guy for real? Of course we need more detox beds!”

We here in Massachusetts have learned that our Department of Public Health plans to do just that; another detoxification unit with a floor staff of limited experience due to the fact that the money tends to go up into administrative roles rather than to those ‘working the floors.’ By improving the quality of the detoxification centers maybe we would find that we actually have enough – Better treatment, the higher the probability of continued recovery.

I can’t imagine the ‘evidenced based results’ being that great from the current structure of our detoxification centers in the way they are operated at the present time. Again, 'the longer a person is in treatment, the better the chance of their staying in recovery.'

People are lucky if they can get into a transitional program for thirty days post detox. So a detox stay of three to five days will insure recovery? I think not.

The fact of the matter is the insurance companies are now discussing ‘outpatient’ detoxification from opiates. Some have already started to do this. Most of our detoxifications at the present time (our state) are for heroin; either alone or in combination with other drugs.

‘Don’t talk about problems if you are not willing to discuss possible solutions.’

I am willing.

Instead of more detoxification centers, why are we not thinking in terms of sixty or ninety day programs? Again, the longer a person is in treatment, the better their chances of staying in recovery. Maybe community service could be tied in as a part of the program – we give to you, you give back to us. Or base the programs on the half-way house model.

The Department might say, “Well, we are not in the half-way house business.” Well, then justify to me why we are not changing the way detoxification centers operate.

These longer term programs could allow for patients first entering to have an ‘outpatient’ detoxification while starting the program.

The detoxes we currently have open could then be utilized for the more compromised or ‘risky’ patients; such as those on benzodiazepines or alcohol.

I believe there is a high probability that by having these longer term programs we would see a decrease in the need for “acute” detoxification beds for everyone as we presently have.

More detoxification beds?

How about we work together to improve the ones we have and establish longer term programs that will decrease the need for such in the first place.