Background: On this page you will find information regarding detoxification (detox) services in San Luis Obispo County, the need for dedicated detoxification services, and the efficacy of the services. The reports available below to download also provide information concerning the financial feasibility of detox services, including a plan which incorporates a variety of considerations including: local data, scientific literature, cost and the overall impact dedicated detox services would have on the continuum of treatment services in the county.

Definition: “Detoxification” is a set of interventions aimed at managing acute intoxication and withdrawal. Detoxification does not constitute substance abuse treatment but it is one part of the continuum of care for substance-related disorders. Supervised detoxification can prevent potentially life-threatening complications that might appear if the patient were left untreated.

There are three essential components to detoxification:

· Evaluation entails testing for the presence of substances of abuse in the bloodstream (drug testing) and screening for co-occurring mental and physical conditions to determine the appropriate level of treatment following the detoxification.

· Stabilization includes the medical and psychosocial processes of assisting the patient through acute intoxication and withdrawal to the attainment of a medically stable, fully supported, substance-free state. This is often done with the assistance of medications.

· Fostering the patient’s entry into treatment involves preparing the patient for entry into substance abuse treatment by stressing the importance of following through with the complete substance abuse treatment continuum of care.

Patients undergoing detoxification need to know that someone cares about them, respects them as individuals, and has hope for their future.

Documents to Download

San Luis Obispo County Detoxification Services Report

Health Commission Presentation on Detox (slides)

Status Memo on Detox