We provide inpatient and outpatient services individualized to the medical needs and safety of each patient. Many people underestimate the degree of their physical dependence and the risks and complications they may face. These risks are difficult to assess via e-mail, fax, or telephone, and should be evaluated in a personal visit.

We tailor our detoxification services based on a variety of factors, including the following:

Alcohol detoxification is potentially life-threatening and needs close medical monitoring and supervision. It is very rare for an alcoholic to safely detoxify without help, and there is great danger in mixing alcohol and medication. Medically monitored detoxification greatly reduces the seizures and delirium tremens common during the withdrawal period.

We offer two programs for outpatient alcohol detoxification, available for a subset of patients. One is via the Medically Assisted Abstinence Protocol (MAAP) and the other is in partnership with The Coleman Institute.

Opioids can all be associated with incapacitating withdrawal symptoms, a high degree of craving after quitting, and high relapse rates. Detoxification can be done in our Burlingame office as part of an office-based opioid detoxification program or as an inpatient at Mills Medical Center.

All of our physicians are certified to prescribe Suboxone® for opioid detoxification and maintenance. We use Subutex to medically manage pregnant opioid-dependent patients.

In partnership with The Coleman Institute, we also use Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, for relapse prevention. It is available in a daily oral form, a monthly injection called Vivitrol®, or a two-month implant.

Cocaine and amphetamines are very addictive psychoactive stimulants but do not usually require medically monitored or supervised detoxification. People addicted to these substances often need a safe place to stay where they can stop their usage.

Stimulant dependence can be treated with our Medically Assisted Abstinence Protocol (MAAP) program using Flumazenil to help prevent relapse.

Sedatives and hypnotics include most sleeping pills and the minor tranquilizers in the barbiturate and the benzodiazepine category— Valium®, Xanax®, Ativan®, Ambien®, Dalmane®, Restoril®, Klonopin® and others. Stopping them abruptly can lead to withdrawal seizures or severe toxic psychosis requiring emergency hospitalization.

Most sedative/hypnotic detoxification procedures are performed during in-patient stays in a medically supervised setting. We are also working with The Coleman Institute doing a seven-day outpatient infusion therapy for benzodiazepine dependence.

Marijuana does not need medically supervised detoxification.