Inpatient detoxification is vital when an individual is withdrawing from substance use considering withdrawal can be dangerous. In an inpatient detoxification setting in Jay clients can be closely watched for withdrawal symptoms which could cause health complications or even death in more serious instances. a person with alcoholism for instance will need to be watched closely and probably given certain prescription drugs that will prevent delirium tremens and seizures. Benzodiazepine withdrawal is another type of drug that may bring about very similar withdrawal effects, and nurses and doctors in an inpatient detoxification facility would keep them safe.
There is not an exact protocol for each individual in detox, because of the unique health differences that each patient presents when entering detox. A person who is otherwise physically and mentally healthy may go through detox for 4 or 5 days and be discharged without much medical intervention, while another patient may need to have comprehensive supervision and medical intervention for a couple weeks. Safety is of the greatest concern, as well as a transition to a rehabilitation facility for clients who should to go to an actual substance abuse rehabilitation facility once detox is finished. Many detoxification facilities work with drug rehab programs to make this transition possible, since detox is only the first step in a much more comprehensive rehabilitation plan for recovering addicts.