More and more outpatient drug detox programs are popping up all over the country. The pitch so to speak is that you can still reside at home and work while going through the drug detox process without checking into an inpatient drug detox program.

While it is true there are now medications that can be used to detox a patient from opiates on an outpatient basis, the problem is their surroundings, friends and lack of structure that usually leads to relapse. Whether opiates or other narcotics, prescription medications or other illicit drugs, people require around the clock medical care, structure and support. The percentages speak for themselves as many more people complete the inpatient drug detox program than the outpatient drug detox program.

Keep in mind that drug detox is just the beginning of recovery. The real recovery when a person enters a residential drug rehab. It is here underlying issues will be addressed in the hopes of avoiding relapse.