WRH opens 12-bed addiction detox center

Published 2:17 pm Monday, March 2, 2020

A new detox center has officially opened at Whitfield Regional Hospital and an open house to share more about its services on Friday, Feb. 21.

The center will consist of a 12-bed secure unit housed on the second floor of the hospital and will provide care for patients overcoming addictions to alcohol, opiates, and benzodiazepines. While a patient may suffer from multiple addictions one of those three must be included to be treated in the detox unit.

The center will take referrals from family, law enforcement, judges as well as the hospital. Patients may also receive help by walking in and notifying the emergency room.

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According to Kate Crawford, director of the new unit, WRH is one of only two state-funded medical detox units in the state and could help those addicted as an alternative to being jailed while going through withdrawals.

“Our goal is to ease the process of withdrawal by managing the symptoms,” Crawford said.

The detox process takes about five to seven days, she said, adding that patients will need further assistance to recover from addiction. The detox unit will assist the patients in finding the right resource to help them continue on the road to recovery.

“After detox is complete, we work with every patient to encourage them to go further in treatment. We can help by providing sources to group and individual therapies, case management and, if needed, physical and occupational therapy. We will work with the patients to find an outpatient program in their own hometowns,” Crawford said.

Among those attending the open house event was Shereda Finch of the Council on Substance Abuse, a prevention and recovery program that provides resources to those providing addiction assistance across the state, and Skye Asti of Florida Springs Wellness and Recovery Center in Panama City, Florida.

Admission into the Whitfield Regional Hospital Detox Unit is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can be reached by calling 334-212-2220.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, February 26 issue of the Demopolis Times.)