Addiction to prescription painkillers and other drugs as well as alcohol is a growing trend in America. Crestwood Behavioral Health Services is introducing a new protocol for effective detoxification from chemical dependency to help patients overcome the habit without the lengthy interruption to life that rehab can sometimes present.

New medications and medical breakthroughs enable Crestwood Behavioral Health Services to offer a new outpatient detoxification program. Outpatient detoxification presents a viable option for highly motivated patients who may be reluctant to participate in a lengthy rehabilitation program.

“Our new program allows patients to recover quickly and confidentially in a controlled environment with as little interruption to their day-to-day lives as possible,” said Jay Byham Licensed Professional Counselor with Crestwood Behavioral Health Services.

The program utilizes a regimen of medications that promptly eliminate symptoms of withdrawal, including anxiety, sleeplessness as well as the debilitating aches, pains and cravings normally associated with detoxification.

Suboxone, one of the medications used in the outpatient detoxification process is designed to curb withdrawal symptoms and then gradually be tapered off until the patient no longer has a dependency on any drugs. Suboxone is also specifically tailored to build less of a physical dependency than other drugs used to treat opioid addiction, like methadone. Crestwood’s program is able to successfully detoxify various addictions such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, etc.

Crestwood also gives individual attention to patients, tailoring the program to fit their exact needs. This helps the patient to recover quickly and eliminate the cravings and withdrawals normally associated with drug detoxification.

“Our treatment modalities are different from other drug detox programs because it is individually modified for each patient, taking into consideration not only their medical history, but their personal issues as well,’ said Patrick Crow, Licensed Employee Assistance Professional and Program Director of Behavioral Health Services. “Relapse rates for patients who abuse painkillers are high, so creating a relapse prevention plan is crucial. Patients at Crestwood leave with a wellness plan that might include appointments with therapists, support group meetings and ongoing aftercare support. Patients also learn the signs and symptoms that constitute a lapse, so they can stop a full-blown relapse.”

During the first week of treatment the patient will schedule visits every day, but after that the patient comes in only once a week for monitoring and counseling.

“When a patient arrives they are assessed by a professional counselor and a board certified physician. After the initial assessment, patients are diagnosed and treated according to their specific needs. The full program generally lasts six weeks,” said Byham.

Although the program is tailored to each patient’s individual needs, it is designed to help patients through the difficult process of recovery without the painful withdrawal symptoms or the interruption to their work or studies.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Crestwood Behavioral Health Services, please call 256-429-5483 or 256-429-5487. Learn more about Crestwood Medical Center and our Behavioral Health Services by visiting www.crestwoodmedcenter.com.