Inpatient detoxification is suggested when a person is withdrawing from drugs or alcohol because there may be risks involved. While in an inpatient detoxification facility in Boyd individuals are closely watched for withdrawal symptoms that may cause health risks or even death in more severe cases. Someone struggling with alcoholism for instance will need to be closely monitored and probably administered certain prescription drugs which would prevent seizures and delirium tremens. Prescription benzodiazepine withdrawal is another example that may cause very similar withdrawal effects, and nurses and doctors in an inpatient detox center can minimize health risks.
There isn't an exact protocol for each individual in detox, because of the unique health differences that each patient presents when arriving to detox. Someone who is otherwise in good health may undergo detox for 4 or 5 days and be discharged without much medical intervention, while a different patient may require intensive care and medical intervention for 7 to 10 days or more. Health safety is of the utmost concern, and also a transition to a rehabilitation facility for clients who need to attend an actual drug and alcohol recovery program once detoxification is finished. Many detoxification facilities collaborate with drug treatment facilities to make this transition possible, since detoxification is merely the first step in an overall recovery plan for people in recovery.