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Medical detox at Simonds Recovery Centers is a medically supervised inpatient program for adults withdrawing from alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines. Our detox center pairs round-the-clock clinical care with medically assisted detox overseen by board-certified physicians and addiction psychiatrists. We work with most major insurance carriers and confirm your benefits before you arrive.
Medical detox and withdrawal management in Los Angeles
Medical detox is the supervised process of clearing a substance from the body while clinicians manage withdrawal symptoms. It is the first stage of treatment for people physically dependent on alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines, and it lowers the medical risk of stopping these substances without help. Our Granada Hills program provides medically supervised withdrawal management, the clinical term for this stage, under board-certified physicians and addiction psychiatrists. Care moves directly into residential and outpatient treatment once you are stable.
Who needs medical detox
Medical detox is for anyone physically dependent on a substance whose withdrawal carries health risk, particularly alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids. Physical dependence shows up as withdrawal symptoms when use stops or is cut back: shaking, sweating, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, or in severe cases seizures.
Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal can be dangerous without medical supervision, which is why detoxing at home is not recommended for either. Opioid withdrawal is not typically life-threatening, but it is intense enough that most people cannot complete it alone, and relapse during unsupervised withdrawal carries a high overdose risk. A medical setting manages these risks and keeps you safe through the hardest days.
What to expect during detox
Detox begins with a clinical assessment of your substance use, health history, and current symptoms, which sets the medical plan for your stay. The clinical team then monitors you and manages withdrawal symptoms as they develop.
Withdrawal timelines depend on the substance. Alcohol and short-acting drugs often produce symptoms within hours of last use, peaking in the first few days. Longer-acting substances peak and resolve more slowly. Your assessment determines the medical plan, and the team adjusts care to how your symptoms progress.
Medical detox vs. at-home detox
Medical detox manages withdrawal in a supervised clinical setting. At-home detox means stopping without medical oversight, which is unsafe for some substances and harder to complete for all of them.
| Dimension | Medical detox | At-home detox |
| Setting | Inpatient, clinically supervised | Home, no medical supervision |
| Alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal | Standard of care; manages seizure and complication risk | Can be life-threatening; not recommended |
| Symptom management | Clinical monitoring and supportive care | None or self-managed |
| Relapse risk during withdrawal | Lower in a controlled environment | High; substance still accessible |
| Transition to ongoing treatment | Direct handoff into residential or outpatient care | None |
For alcohol and benzodiazepines, medical detox is the safe standard because withdrawal from these substances can cause seizures and other serious complications. At-home detox from either is not recommended. For opioids and other substances, medical detox is far more likely to be completed and to lead into continued treatment.
Substances we detox
As a medical detox center for both alcohol and drugs, we provide supervised detox for substances whose withdrawal carries health risk:
• Alcohol
• Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan)
• Opioids, including fentanyl, heroin, and prescription opioids
We also treat addiction to stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine, and to other substances. For the full range, see our addiction treatment programs. If you are unsure whether your situation fits our detox program, call +1 (833) 781-8338.
What happens after detox
Detox stabilizes the body, but it does not treat the causes of addiction on its own, which is why detox is the first step rather than the whole plan. After detox, you continue into the level of care that fits your needs.
Our continuum moves from detox into residential treatment, then partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP), with sober living and an alumni program supporting the transition back to daily life. Moving directly into care after detox is what protects the progress you make during withdrawal.
Insurance and paying for treatment
We work with most major insurance carriers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum, and Humana, among others. Coverage for detox varies by plan, so our admissions team confirms your specific benefits before you arrive.
Verifying your benefits takes a few minutes and carries no obligation. Submit the insurance verification form or call +1 (833) 781-8338, and an admissions specialist will walk you through your coverage.
Medically reviewed by
Chris Small, M.D. Addiction Psychiatrist. Dr. Small is board certified in Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, and Family Medicine. He earned his medical degree at the University of Hawaii and completed his residency in Psychiatry and Family Medicine at UCSD. Rogerian therapy principles for practitioners can greatly enhance the effectiveness of treatment plans. By fostering a collaborative environment, therapists can build a stronger therapeutic alliance with their clients. This approach not only respects the client’s perspective but also encourages open dialogue and mutual understanding.
Start detox today
Talk to our admissions team about starting detox. Call +1 (833) 781-8338 or verify your insurance now.
