Social detox uses emotional support to combat the adverse side effects of drug withdrawal, while medical detox uses medical treatment and therapy to achieve the same goals. Social detox is for people with mild addictions and is led by a therapist and counseling staff and may include family members to help prevent the patient’s drug addiction from progressing any further.
At Pines Recovery Life Detox, detox stabilization is key to the recovery process. Our highly qualified team has years of experience helping people achieve recovery. If you or a loved one needs the support of addiction specialists and therapists, reach out to Pines Recovery Life Detox today by calling 800.263.3869 or completing our online form. First, however, it is essential to learn the differences between social detox vs. medical detox.
What Is a Social Detox?
Social detox is the first step when it becomes apparent that medical intervention will not be needed in a particular patient’s detox program. A licensed therapist, using talk therapy methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, among other methods, will teach the patient coping skills on how to counteract negative thoughts and emotions that trigger the desire to relapse.
Medical detox requires a hospital setting and doctors and nurses to monitor the patient’s progress. All this can be costly. Social detox does not require the added expenses that a hospital stay and 24-hour medical care would incur. This makes it a more affordable form of detox.
Social Detox vs. Medical Detox
It will need to be determined if the patient is a good candidate for social detox vs. medical detox, depending on the severity of their addiction. Several conditions must be assessed first, including:
- Diagnosis of the substance abuse problem
- Patient’s willingness to undergo treatment
- No physical issues that could be adversely affected by treatment
- Alternative options have been presented to the patient
Medical qualifiers include:
- A heart or lung condition, or other physical limitations that may be exacerbated by opioid agonists
- A history of medication abuse
- Unmotivated to stop using drugs or alcohol
- FDA-approved medication is not able to treat the addiction
- A co-occurring substance abuse problem that might counteract the medication-assisted therapy
What to Expect from a Social Detox Program
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, uses counseling sessions guided by a licensed therapist. The process starts with individual counseling sessions and then supplements that with group and family counseling. The main two forms of therapy used in most recovery programs are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). In CBT, you will learn that actions and emotions born out of illogical thought patterns lead to negative responses to the vagaries of recovery. If you act on these impulses, you will set yourself back. It is important to make sure these negative thoughts do not stand in your way. CBT, in a way, rewires your brain so that you can deal with your recovery in a mature and eye-opening way. It is one of many therapies we use in aiding your recovery.
In DBT, you will discover that trust is one of the most significant issues for those undergoing addiction recovery. We use dialectical behavior therapy to ensure that our clients can trust others as they work through their addiction issues. DBT involves:
- Emotional regulation
- Mindfulness
- Interpersonal effectiveness
- Distress tolerance
Learn More About Social Detox vs. Medical Detox from Our Team
At Pines Recovery Life Detox, CBT and DBT are used in individual, group, and family counseling. Our luxury residential detox lets you focus on overcoming your substance abuse issues in a pleasant setting where we will take care of all your needs. We can be reached online or at 800.263.3869 for you to take the first step on your journey to wellness and recovery.
