What Happens at Free Detox Centers?

Detox centers can help you or your loved one overcome addiction to alcohol, drugs, and other substances. But when you lack resources to pay for treatment, going to free detox centers funded by your state or private organizations may be your only option. Fortunately, these free detox centers offer treatments similar to those offered at other rehab centers proven successful at helping people overcome addiction.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction, understand that help is just one phone call away. Call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?) to speak with a drug abuse counselor about your detox and rehab options.

Knowing what to expect from free detox treatment can help you prepare for your future journey along the path to sobriety. Here’s a closer look at what happens in free detox centers.

Intake and Assessment

On your first day of treatment you’ll meet with medical staff to discuss your medical history and personal struggles with addiction. This allows rehab staff to develop a customized treatment plan for you based on your unique health status and addiction. If you’re staying at an inpatient rehab center, staff will help you get settled in, comfortable, and familiarized with your surroundings.

Medical Evaluation

Rehab staff create customized treatment plans for each patient at free detox centers.

Before you begin detox, you may go through a medical evaluation to determine which treatment will best help you overcome addiction. For instance, if you have a history of drug abuse and have tried going to rehab in the past, your medical team may suggest trying a new or different addiction treatment. A medical evaluation also helps determine how staff can best help you alleviate and avoid withdrawal symptoms — some of which can be fatal.

Detox Treatment

Detox begins shortly after rehab staff performs your medical evaluation. There are many different detox treatments available depending on your addiction type, addiction status, and personal preferences. Some detox treatments involve the use of medications, while others use holistic therapies such as exercise and massage to eliminate toxins and manage withdrawal symptoms.

Many free detox centers offer medically supervised detox, which is detox in a safe, controlled medical environment with 24/7 access to medical support. Throughout detox, you’ll be monitored by a team of health professionals who can help you safely and comfortably overcome addiction with little to no discomfort or withdrawal symptoms.

Detox treatment can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks or more, depending on the severity of the addiction. Some treatments may last months, and continue in an outpatient detox setting following treatment. For example, those who take methadone to treat opioid addiction may continue taking the drug for months until they’ve fully overcome opioid dependency.

Addiction Treatment

After overcoming physical dependency on drugs and/or alcohol, the next stage of detox is addiction treatment. Addiction treatments address the psychological aspects of addiction, such as behaviors and thought processes that may have led to addiction in the first place.

Addiction treatments often involve counseling, therapy, and support groups. You may also receive treatment for mental illnesses that exist at the same time as addiction, known as co-occurring disorders.

Nobody should ever have to overcome addiction on their own without help. If you’re struggling with substance abuse, call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?) to speak with an addiction treatment counselor about your options for free detox centers.