Medical Detox Standards Rise Under New ASAM Criteria

A new benchmark exists for anyone to utilize for evaluating different treatment facilities and levels of care available.

A commentary published ahead of print in the Journal of Addiction Medicine argues that the Fourth Edition of the ASAM Criteria elevates expectations for withdrawal management, and that this change has direct implications for the safety of the patient.

Itai Danovitch and Michael Boyle authored the commentary about this topic. They contended that detox without treatment for the underlying addiction leaves patients at risk of illness and death.

They present these new standards as a roadmap for addressing this problem, and forging a stronger connection between withdrawal management and continuing addiction care.

Why Medical Detox Alone Is Not Enough

The commentary makes its central point by emphasizing that withdrawal management often represents a necessary component of addiction care. But withdrawal management alone can lead nowhere when providers leave the underlying addiction unaddressed.

Patients who complete medical detox and return to the same environment can confront the same cravings and the same untreated disorder, which can contribute to high rates of relapse. After detox their tolerance to opioids and alcohol can also decline and lead to an increased overdose risk if they resume substance use.

The ASAM Criteria serve as widely used clinical standards for addiction treatment placement in the United States. The latest edition expects withdrawal management programs to furnish integrated psychosocial services for the underlying addiction, rather than simply overseeing the acute withdrawal period.

What the Fourth Edition Changes

A program that manages withdrawal should connect patients with the next level of care as part of its core function and that process includes psychosocial treatment for the addiction during and after the withdrawal episode.

Treatment can encompass counseling, peer support or medication-assisted treatment, depending on the patient’s needs and clinical situation.

Danovitch and Boyle acknowledge that implementation will present challenges, especially in rural and under resourced areas, where some detox beds already operate apart from comprehensive treatment systems.

The authors argue that these challenges should not dilute the standard because stronger integration remains important for improving care and patient outcomes. “While implementation of these updated standards will be challenging particularly in rural and under resourced areas it is critical for improving care quality and patient outcomes” they write.

What Patients Should Ask

If you are comparing medical detox options, the commentary provides several practical screening questions that can help you determine whether a facility connects withdrawal management with continuing addiction care.

A program that can answer these questions clearly reflects the direction of the updated standards while a program that treats detox as a standalone service falls short of the level of integrated care that the new criteria expect.

Finding Medical Detox

The danger of alcohol and benzodiazepines withdrawal without medical supervision can’t be understated. It can potentially create serious relapse, significant overdose risks and even be deadly if someone attempts it alone.

Detox.com lists accredited withdrawal management programs across the country, and allows people to search for facilities based on location and available treatment services. It’s important to compare treatment options and verify insurance coverage before contacting a facility.

It’s also helpful to ask programs about the medical services they provide to patients and how they connect patients to continuing care. When you’re ready, you can call 800-996-6135Sponsored to speak with a treatment advisor today and learn more about your treatment options.