Detox Isn’t the Finish Line: The Role of Step-Down Care in Rhode Island

Did you know that according to NIDA, relapse rates for drug addiction are as high as 60% in Rhode Island?

Sadly, relapse is more common than you think. Where we, as a society, go wrong is that we think detox is enough for any addiction. This assumption is untrue. While detox is a critical first step for any substance use disorder recovery, it is only the first step. It helps individuals in safely managing their withdrawal symptoms and stabilizing them physically; but detox, itself, does not address behavioral patterns or emotional triggers of any individual.

There is a very real need for step-down care after detox in Rhode Island, and today, we will discuss why:

Why Step-Down Care After Detox Is Essential?

Research shows that 80 – 90% individuals are prone to relapsing if detox is not followed immediately by structured addiction therapy. It is important to understand what detox is; it is a medically supervised procedure that helps manage the physical process of withdrawal through monitoring, medication, and medical support. 

The problem is that detox does not address the mental, emotional, and behavioral aspects of said addiction.

1. Detox Doesn’t Change Learned Behaviors:

It is important to understand that any addiction is not just physical dependence on a drug. Rather, it is a learned pattern of behaviors, habits, coping mechanisms, and emotional responses built over a passage of time to help self-soothe. 

While detox can stabilize physically and manage withdrawal, it cannot undo those deep-rooted patterns, which is why individuals battling addiction also need help in therapy so that they can unlearn the self-destructive behaviors and replace the old habits with healthy coping skill-based responses.

2. Emotional Triggers Reappear After Detox:

Did you know that up to 60% of people in early recovery experience heightened emotions and strong emotional triggers? These triggers can range from anxiety and depression to stress and isolation. 

The problem is that when the body stabilizes from detox, emotions tend to resurface, especially for those who have been using substances to cope with stress, grief, loneliness, or anger…and in such cases, a lack of support can drive them right back to substance use.

3. People Need Structure and Routine to Stay Sober:

There is a real need for structure in order for clients to be able to navigate real life again after detox. This includes work pressures, family responsibilities, and even relationships. 

Unfortunately, without structure, it becomes very easy to fall back into old routines; the ones that first cause relapse. Detox is excellent for stabilization, but it cannot help individuals stay sober without the accountability of aftercare.

4. Community Support is a Predictor of Long-Term Recovery:

Did you know that people getting ongoing peer support are twice as likely to remain sober at the one-year mark as compared to those recovering without guidance? 

It is not surprising though, because we are social animals. Isolation is, in fact, one of the biggest risk factors for the risk of relapse, which causes people to disconnect.

Step-Down Care After Detox in Rhode Island: The Solution for Long-Term Recovery

Since 2023, Rhode Island has made some progress in reducing overdose fatalities among residents through prevention efforts and harm-reduction. We have seen an 18.6% decrease in opioid overdose-related deaths. Yet, an unmet treatment need still remains.