Transitioning from Detoxification to Addiction Treatment: Facilitators and Barriers

Detoxification, the medical management of substance withdrawal to prevent complications, does not serve as standalone care for substance dependence. Rather, detoxification should be an entry point to addiction treatment. Successful transitions from detoxification to addiction treatment benefit outcomes such as reduced relapse, criminal justice system involvement, and crisis-related health care utilization, and increased employment and stable housing (Ford & Zarate, 2010). Nevertheless, many…