When your child is finally safe in alcohol detox, there’s a strange, unfamiliar silence that follows.
The emergency has passed. The constant panic softens. But then the next wave hits—uncertainty, questions, dread.
What happens now? Do they go straight to rehab? Do they want to? Will they stay? What if they leave?
These are the questions that keep parents awake at 2:00 AM, even after doing everything right.
At Ladoga Recovery Center, we know detox isn’t the end of the crisis. It’s the first protected breath after someone’s been drowning. And what happens after—how we guide your loved one from detox into treatment—can make all the difference in whether that breath leads to something lasting.
Detox Is the Stabilizer—Not the Solution
Alcohol detox is about physical safety. It protects your child’s body as it comes off alcohol—managing the risk of seizures, tremors, blood pressure spikes, and withdrawal-related confusion. It’s the most urgent step, medically speaking.
But it’s not the work of recovery.
Without a thoughtful, supportive transition into treatment, most people walk out of detox and straight into overwhelm. The cravings return. The emotional pain that alcohol was numbing begins to surface. Without a structure to catch them, that clarity turns into collapse.
That’s why we begin transition planning before detox ends—not as an afterthought, but as part of care.
We Don’t “Discharge and Hope”
Too many families tell us they’ve been through this before.
Detox somewhere else. A brief calm. A discharged adult child with a piece of paper and no plan. A cab ride home. A return to old habits within days.
We don’t do that here.
At Ladoga Recovery, we create a supported handoff—not a drop-off. That means:
- Assessing clinical readiness for next-step care during detox
- Explaining options while the client is still physically safe and emotionally reachable
- Coordinating placement into the next level of care (whether that’s residential, PHP, IOP, or outpatient)
- Communicating with family when possible, so you’re not left guessing what comes next
It’s not a factory line. It’s a guided transition—with care that doesn’t stop at the door.
We Include Families—Because You’ve Been Carrying This Alone Too Long
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already done more than most people ever have to. Maybe you found your child passed out and had to call 911. Maybe you watched them unravel slowly. Maybe you’ve already tried love, tough love, threats, and prayers.
Whatever got you here—you shouldn’t have had to do it alone.
That’s why, when clinically appropriate and with client consent, we include family in the transition process. This can look like:
- Getting updates during detox so you’re not in the dark
- Offering family education about alcohol withdrawal and treatment
- Answering your questions directly, not in vague medical terms
- Helping you prepare emotionally for what comes next
Recovery is not just theirs. It affects your nervous system, your sleep, your finances, your mental health. We don’t ignore that.
Emotional Readiness Is Just as Important as Physical Stability
One of the most dangerous myths in recovery is that people leave detox “better.”
They might be physically stable. But emotionally, they’re often at their most fragile.
Here’s why:
- The chemical buffer—alcohol—is gone. So all the anxiety, fear, shame, or trauma it was masking floods back in.
- They may feel guilt or embarrassment about where they are.
- Their brain is still rewiring. Early withdrawal fog, known as post-acute withdrawal, can last for weeks.
Without support, that moment becomes a relapse waiting to happen.
That’s why our transition process doesn’t just coordinate services—it gently prepares people to accept the next phase. We slow down the rush. We speak clearly. We help the person in front of us feel safe enough to say yes.
Transition Options: What Comes Next?
The right next step after alcohol detox depends on many factors:
- The severity and duration of drinking
- Mental health concerns
- Support system (or lack of one)
- History of relapse or previous treatment
- Willingness to participate in longer-term care
We help match each person with the next level of care, including:
Residential Treatment
Ideal for those needing full-time support and structure. Clients live onsite and attend daily therapy, skill-building groups, and medical check-ins.
PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program)
A day program for those not requiring 24/7 care but still needing significant support—usually 5 days per week, several hours per day.
IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program)
Flexible care for those who need accountability while maintaining some home or work responsibilities. Typically 3–4 days/week.
Outpatient Therapy & Case Management
For those transitioning out of higher levels or who need focused therapy and logistical support without structured daily care.
We don’t push anyone into the wrong level just to fill a bed. We build around the person. Because recovery isn’t just about doing something—it’s about doing something that fits.
Dual Diagnosis: Many Young Adults Need More Than Detox
We often see young adults who didn’t start drinking “just to party.” For many, alcohol became a way to manage:
- Anxiety they never got diagnosed
- Depression they thought was just laziness
- Trauma they never had words for
- ADHD that got masked by substances
Once alcohol is removed, these symptoms rise to the surface. That’s why aftercare matters so much.
Our treatment partners include mental health support—trauma therapy, psychiatric care, medication evaluation—so your child isn’t treated as just an “addict,” but as a whole person who needs more than abstinence.
FAQs for Families Navigating Detox and Transition
How long will my child be in alcohol detox?
Most stays last 3–7 days. It depends on medical history, substances used, and withdrawal severity.
Do they go straight to treatment afterward?
Yes—if clinically appropriate, we arrange the next level of care before discharge. This avoids gaps in support.
Can I be involved in their treatment planning?
If your child consents and it’s clinically appropriate, yes. We’ll update you and walk you through options as part of the process.
What if they refuse treatment after detox?
We’ve seen this before. We don’t shut the door. We offer continued contact, referrals, and safety planning—without blame or pressure.
Will they come home after detox?
That depends on the next step. Sometimes home is part of the plan; often it’s not recommended right away. We’ll help you decide what’s safe.
Is there support for me as a parent?
Yes. We provide resources, education, and referrals for family therapy or support groups. You matter, too.
You Did the Hardest Thing Already—Now Let Us Help Carry the Rest
There are few things more terrifying than watching your child disappear into addiction. You’ve been living in crisis mode. You’ve been fighting to get them through the door of detox. You’ve done something heroic.
And now?
Now you don’t have to hold it all alone.
At Ladoga Recovery Center, we won’t promise easy answers. But we do promise real ones. And we will stay with you through the in-between—the part after the emergency, before the healing feels stable.
Because detox is not the end. And you are not alone anymore.
Ready for what’s next?
Call (888) 628-6202 or visit our alcohol detox program page to learn how we support families and their loved ones through every step—from crisis to continued care—in Ladoga, Indiana.