Supervised Medical Detox Program

Medically Supervised Drug and Alcohol Detox Program

For many people struggling with substance use disorders, detoxification is the first step in their treatment. Medically supervised detox – that is, going through withdrawal under the supervision of medical professionals – is the best way to ensure that you are kept safe during this stage of recovery and that you can enter full-time addiction treatment safely.

Medical detox is usually necessary due to the intense physical effects of substance abuse throughout the course of active addiction. The body can develop a physical dependence on substances like drugs or alcohol and it can reach a point where a person may become physically sick during the detox process. These symptoms are known as substance withdrawal. Not only can it become very difficult to brave these withdrawal symptoms on your own, but it can also be dangerous for an individual’s health. Entering into a detox center like Riverside Recovery of Tampa can help you safely start your journey to recovery.

Some substances – particularly opioids, benzodiazepines, and serious alcohol abuse – can cause intense withdrawal symptoms such as:
  • severe depression or anxiety
  • hallucinations
  • fever and nausea
  • body tremors
  • rapid weight loss
To prevent relapse, it is important to stay as safe and stable as possible during the withdrawal process. This will help you better start your journey to recovering from drug and alcohol abuse.
Riverside Recovery provides our clients with a detoxification process in a peaceful, spa-like setting and a 24/7 medically monitored detox program. Our staff is trained to taper and stabilize patients off of most substances, including alcohol, opiates, sedatives and benzodiazepines, fentanyl, amphetamines, marijuana, and cocaine. It’s our goal to keep you as comfortable as possible and make sure you are kept safe and healthy. Whatever the case may be, Riverside Recovery of Tampa works to keep our patients comfortable while their body readjusts to living a life free of drugs in their system.

Program Care Overview

Common Substances Requiring Medically Monitored Detox

The only way to know for certain whether supervised medical detox is right for you or your loved one is to talk to a professional before entering treatment for substance abuse.

In general, medical detox is recommended for people entering addiction treatment who are in the midst of active addiction.

Alcohol

A person who has been drinking too much for an extended period of time may have alcohol withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stop. These withdrawal symptoms include fever, seizures, and to name a few. In severe cases, alcohol withdrawal can become life-threatening. Due to these withdrawal symptoms, it is suggested that individuals suffering from alcohol abuse seek medically monitored alcohol detox before entering into an addiction treatment program.

Benzodiazepines

These medications are sedatives often used to treat anxiety or seizures. Examples of benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium) and clonazepam (Klonopin). These substances often have a chemical effect similar to alcohol, therefore, causing similar withdrawal symptoms.

Opiates/Opioids

Opioid drugs are a group of substances that includes opiates, which are the natural derivative of poppy plants. The most common types of opiates include morphine and heroin. Opioids refer to a group of synthetic and semi-synthetic substances that interact with opioid receptors. The most common types of opioids include fentanyl, methadone, and oxycodone. Suddenly stopping the use of opiates and opioids cold turkey can produce withdrawal symptoms that may cause mental, emotional, and physical discomfort. Opioid withdrawal symptoms will vary depending on which opioid is used, how long it has been abused, and other factors such as the individual’s physical health. Although opioid withdrawal symptoms may not become life-threatening, drug detox is still recommended due to the uncomfortable detox process.

Other Substances

The misuse of any substance can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Stimulants such as MDMA, methamphetamine, and cocaine can while not life-threatening cause people to feel irritable, depressed, and anxious. Seeking treatment for drug detox can help elevate these symptoms.

Medical Detox or At-Home Detox: What's the Difference?

Some people believe buying at-home detox kits can help them taper off and detoxing from their drug addiction. Due to severe withdrawal symptoms and side effects, medical supervision in a stable environment is the best option. Medical detox in an unsafe setting can put someone at risk for relapse or serious injuries.
Seeking medical treatment for drug detox is the best option for those ready to start their recovery from drugs and alcohol.

Do I Need Medically Monitored Detox?

When a person uses alcohol or other drugs for an extended period of time, their body becomes dependent on the presence of these substances. Over time, a person who becomes addicted to any substance will need higher and more frequent doses in order to feel the effects. The physical dependence on drugs or alcohol is likely when you have:

  • experienced little effect over time from using the same amount of a substance
  • need to increase the amount of substances to achieve the same effects
  • craved a substance consistently when you did not have access to it
  • used drugs or alcohol over an extended period of time
  • attempted to quit abusing drugs or alcohol and were unable to without help

The only way to know for certain whether supervised detox is right for you or your loved one is to talk to our professional team before entering treatment for substance abuse. If medical detox is right for you, we will help you get the process started as safely and comfortably as possible.

What To Expect From Our Medical Detox Program

When our clients are admitted into treatment, they undergo a thorough evaluation so we know where to place them within our programs. Riverside Recovery’s detox center provides 24/7 medically monitored detox in a peaceful, spa-like setting, with limited private rooms available upon request. Our licensed team is trained to taper and stabilize patients off of most substances including:

It’s our goal to keep you as comfortable as possible during medical detox and make sure you are kept safe and healthy when experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Whether you are suffering from drug or alcohol withdrawal, Riverside Recovery works to keep our patients comfortable during medical detoxification while their body readjusts to living a life free of drugs and alcohol in their system.

Medical Detox at Riverside Recovery of Tampa

Riverside Recovery’s state-of-the-art medical detox program provides the best care in the Tampa Bay area, combining a professional, experienced care team and a top-notch facility. By placing our patients in this environment, we can assure them that they’re receiving the inpatient detox help they need as they begin to take the first steps to change their life for the better.

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Whether you’re seeking treatment for yourself, a loved one or as a referring physician, we are always available to answer your questions and help connect you with the resources you need.

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Our Medical Director, Dr. Michael Sore, and Lauren Whittman, ARNP, oversee the medical detoxification program at Riverside Recovery. Both providers bring extensive experience in an emergency department setting to Riverside Recovery of Tampa. Both are expertly trained and well-versed in treating stable and unstable substance use disorders; making sure every client receives the best possible care. Our medical detox staff includes several other highly qualified and fully licensed medical professionals, from our therapists and clinicians to nurses and doctors. Our team is uniquely trained and experienced in caring for individuals whose health is at risk due to substance abuse, and will provide our signature exceptional treatment to every person in our medical detox programs.

Dr. Michael Sore, MD

Medical Director
Dr. Sore attended the University of South Florida where he earned a Doctor of Medicine degree. He has been working in emergency medicine for over 35 years and is ABPM Board Certified in Addiction Medicine. For years, he has seen the devastation that substance abuse disorder causes individuals and their loved ones firsthand. The life-saving emergency care he would provide rarely resulted in any meaningful recovery. This led to him developing a passion early in his career for trying to improve these recovery outcomes. He now has the opportunity to make a meaningful difference and the resources available to provide an exceptional level of care in a safe, effective manner. These key components, statistically, have proven to lead to a higher likelihood of long-term sobriety.

Erin Ikenberry, PA‑C, CAQ‑psychiatry

Assistant Medical Director
Erin Ikenberry is a skilled and compassionate physician assistant with expertise in psychiatric and emergency medicine. A 2007 graduate of Cornell Medical College, Erin combines critical care acumen with a profound understanding of substance use disorders and mental health. This diverse background informs Erin’s commitment to providing empathetic, evidence-based care for individuals with complex medical and behavioral health needs.

Get Detox Help Today

At Riverside Recovery of Tampa, we provide the treatment that people struggling with substance abuse need to heal and find a new start in life. Our comfortable, modern facilities and detox center are located in Tampa, Florida, on the beautiful Hillsborough River. We provide multiple levels of care including detox, residential and outpatient programs under one roof, easing our clients’ transitions between stages of recovery and providing flexible options to meet each person’s needs.

If you or your loved one is in need of medical detoxification from substance abuse, please contact us to learn more about how we can help you.

Call our admissions team today to begin your journey of recovery with us.

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Riverside Recovery of Tampa understands all of the emotional challenges of addiction recovery and is here to support you or your loved one. Contact us today for more information.
800-871-5440