Drug and Alcohol Detox Programs

Locations:
The Keele Center
Detox services in the Keele Center
Neag Medical Center
Detox services in the Neag Medical Center
Detox unit bedroom in the Neag Medical Center

Detox: Your First Step Toward Transformative Treatment

Caron's transformative treatment begins with detox for those who need it. While detox alone does not lead to long-term recovery, it is essential for safely managing the acute withdrawal symptoms associated with drug or alcohol addiction.

In Pennsylvania, the detox unit is in the Carole and Ray Neag Center with experienced, caring physicians, clinicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and clinical case managers on duty 24 hours a day to ensure your comfort and evaluate your withdrawal symptoms and physical and mental health. As clinically indicated, they also prescribe withdrawal medications so you are comfortable.

In Florida, the detox unit is in The Keele Center staffed by a full-time, on-site team of expert, compassionate clinicians, physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and clinical case managers. The detox care team continuously evaluates your withdrawal symptoms and physical and mental health, prescribing withdrawal medications as clinically indicated so you are comfortable.

Both Centers are outfitted to handle the detox process and related conditions, such as chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, and co-occurring mental health issues. You can rest assured that you will receive the best possible detox care.

Treatment Program Details

Detoxification neutralizes drugs’ and alcohol’s toxic effects by metabolizing them in the body. Caron manages the detox process carefully to ensure you remain stable. Your team of detox care providers will use their medical and clinical expertise to strengthen your body and mind for treatment.

Your Detox Program

The first step is a comprehensive assessment that includes:

  • Blood and urine screenings
  • Medical history evaluations
  • Psychological assessments

In addition to giving your care providers a full picture of your health, the assessment determines whether medical detox or medication-assisted treatment, such as methadone or anti-craving medications, is necessary. Our medical staff and addiction specialists work together to ensure any prescriptions are medically justified and contribute to your recovery.

Caron emphasizes staff/patient relationships as part of its commitment to a caring, respectful environment. The bonds you form with staff are critical to your readiness for treatment and long-term recovery.

Drugs That May Cause Withdrawal and Require Detox

While many types of drugs may require detoxification in the treatment process, these are some of the most common substances:

  • Alcohol: Withdrawal from alcohol can be dangerous and even life-threatening without medical supervision.

  • Opioids: This includes prescription opioids like oxycodone, as well as heroin and other opiates.

  • Benzodiazepines: Drugs like Xanax and Valium require careful tapering and supervision during detox.

  • Stimulants: Cocaine, methamphetamines, and other stimulants cause intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms that can last for weeks.

Each of these substances comes with its own set of withdrawal challenges, which makes medically supervised detox critical for safety and effective symptom management.

Specialized Services

For LGBTQIA+ Patients

  • A safe and affirming environment
  • Pennsylvania clinicians certified as LGBTQIA+ affirmative and informed by the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals
  • LGBTQIA+-specific groups

For Patients in the Legal Profession

  • Individual and group meetings with the legal services coordinator to discuss concerns, including return to work or school

For Health and Wellness

  • Outdoor pool (Florida only)
  • Physical and massage therapy as clinically indicated
  • Nutritional counseling with varying options depending on the program
  • Delicious, healthy food with accommodations for religious guidelines, food allergies, addictions, or eating disorders

For Chronic Pain

  • Education and pain management counseling
  • Medication management
  • Mobility accommodation
  • Holistic therapies
  • Specialized treatments

One of America's Best Addiction Treatment Centers 2023

Read Our Blog

Your care is the heart of Caron’s visionary mission.

Dr. Adam D. Scioli

Dr. Adam D. Scioli, D.O., DFAPA, FASAM, FAOAAM

Chief Medical Officer and Program Director, Caron/Tower Addiction Medicine Fellowship

Pennsylvania, Florida
A headshot of Dr. Ming R. Wang.

Dr. Ming R. Wang, MD, FASAM

Associate Medical Director

Pennsylvania, Florida
Barbara Krantz

Barbara Krantz, D.O., MS, DFASAM, MRO

Florida Medical Director of Older Adults Program, Withdrawal Management & Chronic Pain

Florida

FAQs About Detox

There is no standard time frame for the detoxification process, as it depends on numerous factors. The length of detox and the physical symptoms experienced throughout the process depend on several factors, such as:

  • The specific drug that has been used

  • Length of addiction

  • Amount of drug used during addiction

  • Dose taken prior to entering treatment or detox

  • Any co-occurring mental health issues

  • Use of other substances (including alcohol) during addiction and immediately before drug detox

  • Length the specific drug stays in one’s system (half-life of a drug)

Detox refers to the process of metabolizing drugs and alcohol in a person's system to neutralize their toxic effects. The medical term for detox is “withdrawal management,” because when the process is managed correctly, detox helps patients maintain physical comfort as they safely withdraw from the effects of drugs and alcohol. It is important for detox to be medically supervised at a detox addiction treatment center or in a drug detoxification program, where doctors and healthcare experts are on-site to provide supervision, observations and support to manage symptoms, stabilize the patient’s health and keep patients safe from the harmful physical complications of intoxication and withdrawal.

Regardless of whether a person is entering inpatient alcohol treatment, inpatient drug treatment, or outpatient drug or alcohol rehab, safely managing the withdrawal process is a critical component of treatment and care. The side effects of detox from alcohol and drug addiction can vary depending on the type of drug or drugs a person has in their system, how long they’ve been using, the state of their general overall health, and the like. The process is different for each person. See the next questions for the side effects of withdrawal from alcohol and specific types of drugs.

Alcohol withdrawal is the most dangerous because physically detoxing from alcohol can be fatal. It can also cause grand mal seizures, strokes, and heart attacks. Because of these risks, alcohol detox should always occur in a medically supervised setting with close monitoring. Other side effects of alcohol detox include hallucinations, delirium tremens (DTs), anxiety, nausea, insomnia, increased body temperature, heart palpitations, abdominal pain, and more.

Opioids include opiates like morphine, heroin, and codeine, as well as synthetic opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone, which are used to manage pain. Opioid detox side effects can vary greatly from person to person, depending on the type of opioid used and the duration of dependence. In general, though, opioid detox side effects can be broken down into two stages. Comfort medication is commonly used in opioid drug detoxification and opioid addiction rehab programs, as the experience after the first 24 hours can be incredibly unpleasant.

Early-stage opioid withdrawal side effects (usually within 24 hours of a person’s last opioid use — and often as soon as 12 hours post-use):

  • Aggression

  • Anxiety

  • Anger

  • Aggression

  • Delusions

  • Intense cravings for the drug

  • Restless legs

  • Sweating

Later-stage opioid withdrawal side effects (24 hours or more post-use):

  • Abdominal cramps

  • Blurry vision

  • Diarrhea

  • Dilated pupils

  • High blood pressure

  • Nausea

  • Racing heartbeat

  • Vomiting

Detoxing from benzodiazepines can be dangerous and should only be done under medical supervision. Physical withdrawal can take months to complete, so choosing a drug detoxification program and treatment program can greatly reduce discomfort and relapse.

Because different benzodiazepines have different half-lives, side effect symptoms and timelines can vary, but in general, benzodiazepine detox side effects include:

  • Anxiety
  • Heart palpitations
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Sour stomach
  • Tremors
  • Weight loss

Side effects from a stimulant like cocaine, crack cocaine, or methamphetamines usually start within 36 hours of stopping the drug and can continue for a few weeks or even months. Withdrawing from cocaine use and other forms of stimulant use is uncomfortable, and the symptoms are difficult to manage. Comfort medication is often used in cocaine and methamphetamine treatment.

Common side effects that occur when detoxing from stimulants can be broken down into three stages.

Early Stage (or "crashing"):

  • Aggression

  • Agitation

  • Anger

  • Anxiety

  • Delusions

  • Fatigue

  • Increased appetite

  • Intense drug cravings

Middle Stage:

  • Confusion

  • Cravings

  • Depression

  • Fatigue

  • Inability to focus

  • Insomnia

  • Memory loss

Late Stage:

  • Bad dreams

  • Extreme appetite

  • Intense sleepiness

  • Mood swings

A man and a woman leaning on each other

Take the next step:

Start a conversation

Start with an online form

Contact us