What to Expect in Medical Detox for Lewiston Residents

December 22, 2025

Deciding to stop using drugs or alcohol is the most important choice you can make for your future. But the physical process of stopping, also known as withdrawal, can be dangerous and overwhelming without professional help from licensed clinicians.

For residents in Lewiston, Maine, medical detox at ENSO Recovery could be your answer to a safe and effective way to curb your addiction. The team provides long-term recovery by managing withdrawal symptoms.

Understanding what happens during this phase can reduce anxiety and help you prepare for the journey ahead. Whether you require 24/7 inpatient monitoring or outpatient medication-assisted stabilization, effective help is available near Androscoggin County.

What Is Medical Detox?

Medical detox, commonly known as withdrawal management, is the process of safely removing addictive substances from the body while supervised by healthcare professionals. The primary objective is to manage the physical symptoms of withdrawal, which can range from discomfort to life-threatening.

Substance use disorders change the brain’s chemistry. When you stop using suddenly, the brain struggles to regain balance, leading to withdrawal symptoms. The medical oversight you receive at ENSO Recovery ensures your vitals are monitored and medications are used to alleviate pain, anxiety, and cravings.

Who Needs Medical Detox?

Not everyone requires the same level of care. You may need medical stabilization if you struggle with:

Medical detox is not a one-size-fits-all approach, as everyone’s needs vary depending on the substance they use, or what stage they are in their addiction.

Opioid Use Disorder: Withdrawal from heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkillers can cause severe flu-like symptoms, vomiting, and intense cravings.
Alcohol Use Disorder: Heavy alcohol use can lead to seizures or delirium tremens (DTs) during withdrawal, which requires immediate medical attention.
Benzodiazepine Dependence: Stopping Xanax or Valium abruptly is medically dangerous and requires a tapered approach.
Poly-substance Use: Using multiple substances simultaneously complicates withdrawal and necessitates professional oversight.

Alcohol Detox in Maine

While alcohol withdrawal occurs most often in adults, studies show teens or children can experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal is most common in those with Alcohol Use Disorder, sometimes called alcoholism, where people can’t stop drinking, even if it is impacting their overall health.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal occur when a person has been drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis and suddenly stops.

At ENSO Recovery, we combine group therapy, individual counseling, life skills education, and medication management when appropriate

The American Medical Association recommends a two-drink-per-day limit for men. Heavy drinking among men is five or more drinks in one day, or 15 or more drinks in a week. The AMA said women should have one drink per day. Heavy drinking among women is considered four or more drinks in a day, or eight drinks in a week.

Heavy drinking can lead to long-term effects on the heart, cause alcohol poisoning, damage nerves in your brain that can lead to cancer, and cause cirrhosis of the liver.

A Day-by-Day Timeline of Alcohol Detox

Not everyone will have the same experience with alcohol detox, but there is a pattern that many follow. Symptoms often begin with the first 6-12 hours after your last drink, then peak in the first 2-3 days. After a week, the symptoms begin to improve. But psychological symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, and cravings can last longer.

Day 1: Early Symptoms (6-24 Hours)

Withdrawal often begins within 6 to 12 hours of the last drink. While symptoms may feel manageable initially, they are warning signs that the body is reacting to the absence of alcohol.

Physical Signs: Hand tremors (shakes), sweating, headache, nausea, and elevated heart rate/blood pressure.
Mental Signs: Anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and insomnia.
Safety Note: In a medical detox, staff monitor these vital signs to determine medication needs. If you are at home and feel confused or “out of it,” seek medical care immediately.

Day 2: Intensification & Seizure Risk (24-48 Hours)

Symptoms usually peak in severity during the second day. The sensation is often described as a severe flu accompanied by panic.

Key Symptoms: Vomiting, noticeable tremors, intense sweating, and vivid nightmares.
The Risk of Seizures: This is the most common window for alcohol withdrawal seizures. These can occur without warning, even in those with moderate symptoms.
Action Plan: Seizures are a medical emergency requiring immediate 911 assistance. Medical supervision is strongly advised during this window to manage risks.

Day 3: Peak Danger & Delirium Tremens (48-72 Hours)

For long-term or heavy drinkers, days 2 and 3 carry the highest risk for severe complications, specifically Delirium Tremens (DTs).

Warning Signs: Severe confusion, disorientation (not recognizing familiar people), hallucinations, agitation, fever, and racing heart.
Urgency: DTs can be fatal without quick treatment. If a loved one becomes disoriented or intensely agitated, treat it as a medical emergency. Clinical guidelines recommend medical supervision for anyone at high risk during this phase.

Our commitment to treating Maine residents extends to Lewiston residents

Days 4-7: Physical Relief & Emotional Vulnerability

By day 4 or 5, physical instability (nausea, shaking) usually begins to subside, though exhaustion often persists.

The Shift: As physical pain fades, emotional symptoms surface. You may experience strong cravings, irritability, and anxiety as the “numbing” effect of alcohol wears off.
Recovery Focus: This is a critical time to enter an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or recovery residence. Counseling and structure are essential to prevent relapse during this emotionally fragile period.

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

While acute detox ends after week one, Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) can last for weeks or months.

Lingering Symptoms: Sleep disturbances, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, and variable energy levels.
Managing Cravings: Triggers and stress may cause waves of cravings.
Long-Term Success: Beating PAWS requires ongoing support. Using evidence-based therapies, medication-assisted treatment, and recovery housing significantly reduces relapse risk and supports sustainable sobriety.

Substance Use Detox in Maine

ENSO Recovery operates on a harm reduction philosophy and is active in working with local county jails to help people transition into treatment following their release. This ensures detox and recovery are accessible to everyone.

Patients seeking drug detox will start with a phone call to the admissions team for review of your substance use history. If you need drug detox, the team at ENSO Recovery will help you find the appropriate options in Maine for your care.

When you enter into the program for detox at ENSO Recovery, you will undergo supervision and symptom relief, where vital signs will be checked and staff will adjust your care plan as you detox from substance use.

After detox, patients will transition into rehab services where they may be transferred to the Augusta, Maine center where you will undergo another assessment to determine how you are feeling after detox as you enter the residential recovery center.

The Augusta center offers 22 beds in the men’s residence and 13 in the women’s residence and smaller apartment for people in later stages of treatment.

Types of Detox Services Available to Lewiston Residents

In Maine, withdrawal management falls into two main categories: inpatient and outpatient. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right path.

Inpatient Medical Detox

Inpatient detox involves staying at a hospital or specialized facility for 3 to 7 days with 24-hour nursing care. This is necessary for severe alcohol withdrawal or complex medical needs. For Lewiston residents, local hospitals like St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center often provide this acute level of care.

Outpatient Stabilization & Medication-Assisted Treatment

For many individuals, especially those dealing with opioid use disorder, outpatient Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a safe and effective alternative to hospital stays. At ENSO Recovery, we specialize in this ambulatory model.

Instead of being locked in a hospital ward, you visit our center to receive medications like Suboxone or Vivitrol that stop withdrawal symptoms and block cravings. This allows you to stabilize physically while immediately engaging in counseling and therapy. If you do not have a safe home environment, our recovery residences in Augusta offer a structured, supportive place to live during this process.

Clinical Care in Maine

Whether you choose inpatient care or our outpatient stabilization program, the clinical flow generally follows three key stages.

1. Comprehensive Assessment

Upon arrival, a clinical team conducts a thorough evaluation. They will review your substance use history, medical health, and mental health status. This assessment determines the appropriate level of care and ensures that any co-occurring disorders, such as depression or anxiety, are identified early.

2. Stabilization and Medication

This is the core of the “detox” phase. Clinicians administer FDA-approved medications to normalize your brain chemistry.

For Opioids: Buprenorphine (Suboxone) is commonly used to eliminate withdrawal sickness without causing a high.
For Alcohol: Medications may be prescribed to prevent seizures and reduce cravings.
Symptom Management: Additional non-addictive medications may be used for nausea, insomnia, or anxiety.
3. Transition to Treatment

Detox is not a cure, it’s the first step to recovery. Once you are physically stable, the focus shifts to treating the psychological aspects of addiction. At ENSO Recovery, clients seamlessly transition from stabilization into our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), where they learn coping skills and relapse prevention strategies.

How to Compare Detox Options in Maine

For detox programs, consider asking:

Is the program licensed and, when applicable, accredited?
Do they follow national guidelines for withdrawal management and use evidence-based medications when appropriate?
How do they monitor for complications such as seizures, severe dehydration, or delirium?
What is their plan for connecting you with outpatient treatment or residential care after detox?

For post-detox rehab centers such as ENSO Recovery Augusta, you can ask about:

Levels of care offered (MAT, IOP, OPT, recovery residences).
Use of evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Experience with co-occurring mental health conditions and trauma.
Availability of case management, housing support, and coordination with the justice system when needed.

Our team at ENSO Recovery welcomes these questions. We believe transparent information and a clear, multi-level plan help you make confident choices about your next step after detox.

Length of Care and the Continuum

ENSO Recovery provides patients care from start to finish, ensuring you are never left without support after the initial withdrawal phase passes, from the Intensive Outpatient Program, where patients attend structured therapy sessions several times a week, to Outpatient Treatment, where patients attend ongoing therapy after they return to work or school.

Many will live in recovery houses, in a sober environment with peer support.

Paying for Medical Detox Treatment in Maine

Cost should never be a barrier to starting your recovery from addiction. In Maine, access to substance use treatment has expanded significantly in recent years.

MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid, covers substance use treatment, including medical detox, MAT (Suboxone/Vivitrol), and outpatient counseling. ENSO Recovery accepts MaineCare, making high-quality treatment accessible to most residents in Lewiston and the surrounding area.

ENSO Recovery accepts most commercial insurance providers and state and federal laws dictate that common health insurance plans cover addiction treatment at comparable levels to medical and surgical care. You can verify your benefits directly through our admissions team.

Crisis and Community Support

Sweetser: Provides mobile crisis intervention and community behavioral health services in Lewiston.
211 Maine: A statewide directory for health and human services resources.

Why Families Choose ENSO Recovery

ENSO Recovery stands out because we combine medical expertise with compassionate, community-focused care. We are experts in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), which is the gold standard for opioid use disorder. We also offer MARR-certified recovery housing in Augusta and Sanford, giving you a safe place to live if your home environment in Lewiston is not supportive of sobriety. With locations in Augusta and Sanford, ENSO Recovery offers convenient options for residents across Central and Southern Maine.

As many families in Central and Southern Maine struggle with the scourge of addiction, they often lean on the clinical experts at ENSO Recovery to help their loved one kick alcohol or substance abuse addiction.

How to Start Your Admissions to Detox in Maine

You do not have to face detox alone. If you or a loved one in Lewiston needs help, reach out to ENSO Recovery today. Our team can assess your needs, verify your insurance, and help you determine if outpatient MAT or a referral to inpatient detox is the right first step.

Call the team at 207-245-1800 to begin your rehab journey.

ENSO Recovery has two locations. One at 14 Winter St. in Sanford, Maine and another at 90 Western Avenue, Augusta, Maine.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of overdose, experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms (such as seizures), or having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. For mental health crises, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

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