Detox Appointments:
We request that all patients be feeling some withdrawal the day of
your 1st visit. If you are using heroin or a prescription narcotic, we
ask your last use be 12-16 hours prior to visit. If you are using
methadone, we ask your last use be 48 hours prior to visit. We will
prescribe and dispense medications at the office to help ease the
withdrawal discomfort.
Detox
Contract & Agreement
What to expect during your detox:
Buprenex Detox
Day 1: A physical examination will be required. This visit
may require an EKG, pregnancy test, or lab work. Consent forms will be given and will be signed. This
first visit can only be Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays. We request that all patients be feeling withdrawal symptoms.
Days 2&3: We will be monitoring your withdrawal
symptoms, blood pressure, and adjust any medications as needed.
All patients need to be working an outpatient recovery program.
Approximate Costs of Detox Programs:
Standard Detox
(3-day) average |
$ 500-750 |
*Heroin & prescription
narcotics |
Extended Detox
(10-day) average |
$ 950 |
*Methadone |
Suboxone
Maintenance average |
$ 400 |
Monthly |
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90% of opiate users can be detoxed using the 3-7 day regiment.
Medications are included in the above cost. Some medications for detox are dispensed in the office.
The FDA has issued new regulations concerning the dispensing of
suboxone from the office. It is now required to get the
suboxone from the pharmacy.The prices above include
the office visit and the medications. We normally start day #1
of detox with Subutex. On day number two we convert to
Suboxone. Usually, on day #3 we set up a weaning protocol to
wean the Suboxone down over a 7-10 day period of time. If
patient's are unsuccessful after 7-10 days, it is possible to
wean off the Suboxone over a several month period of time. Some
patients are candidates for Suboxone maintenance where they can take
the Suboxone every day for months and possibly years. This has been
very successful in helping patients avoid relapse. Payment: Payment is required prior to dispensing of
medications. Only cash and credit cards are accepted. Sorry,
no checks. Insurance is not accepted even if the doctor is your
primary care physician.
Activities: For the first 24-48 hours after
detoxification do not make any important personal or business
decisions, or sign legal documents. It is recommended not to drive a
car, operate
machinery or power tools during the detox program. Rest
at home and gradually increase your activities as you have been
instructed.
Confidentiality: All of our opiate dependence charts are
kept separately from the medical charts. This makes it much less
likely for insurance companies, legal entities, employers, and
relatives to be able to access your drug use records. Since the
drug withdrawal treatment occurs at a family walk in clinic, nobody
except the staff would even be aware of the reason for your visits.
Aftercare: Residual withdrawals may persist after the
detox: nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches & pains, weakness,
restlessness, and insomnia. There will be medications prescribed to
help minimize any discomfort associated with these symptoms. Most
symptoms will last for 1-2 weeks and then will start to resolve as
time goes on. Most patients are able to return to work after one week.
We will continue to monitor your recovery and prescribe necessary
medications for one month post-detox. At that time, we will release
you to the physician that will be providing your medical care.
Long-term recovery: It is important to remember that we
are essentially providing detoxification. Our long-term goal is
obviously long-term recovery. The essentials for a good recovery
program: Suboxone maintenance for twelve months, twelve-step groups,
substance abuse therapy, medical care, and abstinence.
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