ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Detox clinics in Mississippi are special as they run under specific state laws. In this article, we teach you how to find a safe and reputable detox center in Mississippi. At the end, we invite your questions in the comments section.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- What is Medical Detox?
- Detoxing in Mississippi
- How Does Detox in Mississippi Work?
- Inpatient Mississippi Centers
- Outpatient Mississippi Centers
- State Sponsored Detox in Mississippi
- Mississippi Detox for Veterans
- Forced Detox: MS Code § 41-30-27 (2013)
- Detox Can Save Lives
What is Medical Detox?
When someone struggling with drug or alcohol addiction suddenly quits, their brain and body naturally go through a process known as withdrawal. [1] This is your body’s way of adapting. During withdrawal, you can expect a specific set of symptoms. Though these symptoms vary depending on the person and the drug, but are often very uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous.
This is where medical detox comes in.
Medical detox is 24-7 medical supervision of your drug and alcohol withdrawal. A detox makes withdrawal safe. For example, clinics observe the withdrawal progress round-the-clock. This way, staff can offer you the right therapy at the right time. Sometimes, you need medical support. But the right clinic will even provide you with emotional support when things become too difficult.
Q: Is it possible to detox on your own?
A: Though some people successfully recover from addiction entirely on their own, the withdrawal process can be dangerous. Without medical supervision, you risk complications.
It’s important to go through a reputable detox center and time you expect withdrawal. Clinics help you experience the safest and least painful withdrawal possible. Supervision also helps prevent relapse.
Detoxing in Mississippi
The state of Mississippi has specific laws and regulations when it comes to detox clinics. These laws and regulations are administered under the Mississippi Department of Mental Health through the Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services. [2] So, what do they tell us about how detox clinics function in Mississippi?
A number of different laws govern the way detox clinics work in MS. [3] These laws are set up to make sure the clinics work within specific health codes and treatment standards. Furthermore, Mississippi law states that not only do detox clinics need to be certified, but drug addiction professionals such as doctors, counselors, nurses must also have proper certification. [4]
Most detox clinics comply with the law set by the state of Mississippi. However, if you feel as though you’ve come across a clinic that hasn’t, you may submit a complaint to the state Attorney General. Feel free to either call at (601) 359 3680 or send a letter to [5]:
550 High Street, Suite 1200
Jackson, MS 39205
How Does Detox in Mississippi Work?
Detox is the first step in addiction recovery. It usually only lasts around a week and is followed by a number of different psychotherapies.
When you enroll in a detox facility in MS, you’re going to receive a medical assessment. The purpose of this is to get a sense of your overall health for the sake of withdrawals. Medical professionals get this sense through interviews and a drug screening, usually a urine sample. You can also expect to be asked about the following:
- The amount of drugs currently within your system
- Your current overall health
- Your drug history
- Your family’s medical history
With this information, the staff will be able to help you through your withdrawal process. As mentioned, withdrawal usually lasts about a week. However, depending on the drug and person, it can go more or less.
While you’re in a detox clinic, don’t be afraid to ask questions. The staff looking after you will have a clear sense of a variety of different aspects of your treatment, including:
How long you’ll be in detox.
Symptoms you can expect to experience.
What medications you’ll receive and how much.
What your treatment plan is like after detox.
Withdrawal is an uncomfortable process which differs for everyone. [6] It’s very difficult to predict what will happen. Even if you’ve experienced withdrawal before, medical detox is highly recommended in order to experience the safest and least painful withdrawal.
Inpatient Detox in Mississippi
As you go about your search for drug and alcohol detox clinics in Mississippi, you’re going to come across two different terms pertaining to your treatment: inpatient or outpatient clinics both exist to help supervise withdrawal. [7]
Q: When should you stay in an inpatient detox clinic?
A: Any time you are drug or alcohol dependent.
Why? Because an inpatient detox facility makes sure you’re always medically stable. If you begin to experience life-threatening symptoms, such as hallucinations or seizures, an inpatient clinic can provide you with 24-hour medical support. Furthermore, there are a number of other services in inpatient facilities to help you with withdraws, including:
- Case management services
- Daily activities
- Dietary services
- Pharmaceutical services
- Supportive counseling
When it comes to detox, no matter how intense or mild your symptoms are, inpatient care ALWAYS offers the best treatment if you are dependent on drugs or alcohol.
Outpatient Detox in Mississippi
Outpatient detox requires much more responsibility on your end. [8] The main purpose of outpatient care is to allow people struggling with addiction to continue with their everyday lives. Many who opt for this treatment tend to have important responsibilities to maintain, such as work or school. And outpatient withdrawal might not be available except in special cases and with access to a physician by phone.
Still, you must qualify for outpatient detox. In order to qualify, physicians assess the following:
- Maintained a good medical condition even through your struggle with addiction.
- Your stability and behavioral condition are well in check.
- Your family and friends offer support during your detox.
- Your family and friends can help monitor your compliance with medical protocol.
- You show responsibility in controlling withdrawal medication.
Yet, even if you do qualify for an outpatient detox, there’s no denying inpatient treatment is much more valuable. With 24-7 access to medical professionals, you’re allowing yourself the safest and most comfortable withdrawal. You’re giving yourself the opportunity to remain in a drug-free environment while meeting a support system in the same boat as you.
State Sponsored Detox in Mississippi
Within Mississippi, there are a couple of resources at your disposal for detox if you aren’t in a good financial situation. For example, the Community of Mental Health Centers offers a full range of treatment options for people within its region. These services include detoxification. If you’d like to learn more about where this Department is, you can visit their region webpage. [9]
In another example, there are numerous free or low-cost rehabilitation programs throughout the state. To get a proper list of these, you can check out Drug Rehab Services’ Mississippi. [10]
Finally, the State of Mississippi also has a number of faith-based rehab treatment centers. These are churches which offer recovery to those seeking out a religious recovery. If this sounds like an option for you, we suggest talking to your local church. They may or may not have connections with one of these faith-based facilities.
Mississippi Detox for Veterans
If you’re a Veteran and struggle with addiction, there are many resources at your disposal – offered both federally and by the state. It’s important to note you’re not alone in the battle with addiction. Many Veterans struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder and, in turn, seek out drugs and alcohol as a way of self-medicating. [11] For this reason, the United States government and the State of Mississippi offer treatment options specifically for Veterans.
You’ll want to first seek out these services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. One of these services is a medically managed detoxification. You can apply for these services through VA health care. [12]
If you have a VA doctor, you’ll want to consult him/her about your drug or alcohol abuse. S/he will be able to direct you towards the right places to get a proper screening and into a detox clinic. Still, even if you don’t have a VA doctor, there are a number of resources to look towards. These include:
- Mississippi’s Division of Medicaid’s toll-free number (800) 421-2408 or visit their contact page [13].
- Contact a VA medical center in Mississippi. Find a VA medical center near you [14]. If you served in recent operations, call your local VA medical center and ask to speak to the OEF, OIF, OND coordinator.
- IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
Forced Detox: MS Code § 41-30-27
Mississippi, like many states, has civil commitment laws which grant certain people the right to involuntarily hospitalized you. Under MS Code § 41-30-27, “a person may be admitted to an approved public or private treatment facility for emergency care and treatment upon a decree of chancery court accepting an application for admission thereto accompanied by the certificate of two licensed physicians.” [15]
Under this law, physicians must back up their decision to involuntarily hospitalize you. It should be noted, only one kind of proof is necessary. Proof of need includes official assessment and a statement that you are:
- Gravely disabled.
- In an unresponsive state.
- Lost power of self-control due to your drug or alcohol addiction.
- Threatened, attempted, or actually inflicted physical harm upon yourself or others.
It should be noted that people with a history of mental illness may be more liable to forced detox. Still, it can happen to anyone who produces the above proofs.
Detox Can Save Lives
Yes, detox can save your life.
This is why it’s so vital you find the right detox clinic and receive the proper medical attention you need in order to beat drugs. Not only will a reputable clinic address life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, but they’ll put on the path you need for recovery.
REMEMBER: By entering a detox clinic and offering yourself the proper treatment, you’re giving yourself a second chance at life. This second chance is life-saving in itself.
Your Questions
Still have questions about drug and alcohol detox in Mississippi?
We invite you to ask them below. We also invite those with more knowledge about detoxing in Mississippi to leave a comment. We try to reply to all legitimate questions in a prompt and personal manner.
Reference Sources: [1] NIDA For Teens: Word of the Day: Withdrawal
[2] The Mississippi Department of Mental Health: Alcohol and Drug Services
[3] Delbert Hosemann – Secretary of State: Mississippi Law
[4] The Mississippi Department of Mental Health: DMH Addictions Therapist Standards and Requirements
[5] ms.gov: Mississippi Attorney General
[6] NIDA: Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction: What Science Says – 8: Medical detoxification
[7] NIAAA: An Overview of Outpatient and Inpatient Detoxification
[8] NIH: Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Programs: Assessing the Evidence
[9] The Mississippi Department of Mental Health: Community Mental Health Centers
[10] DRS: Low-cost or free Rehab Centers For Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Mississippi
[11] NIH: Military
[12] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: How to Apply for VA Health Care
[13] Mississippi Division of Medicaid: Contact
[14] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Locations
[15] Mississippi Legislature: House Bill 585 (As Sent to Governor)
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