I’ve been to detox/psychward/ICUmore than 50+ times for alcohol related anxiety attacks/acute withdrawal/poisoning and then spend 4-7 days hanging out with other alcohol and opiate and benzo abusers. It all starts in the ER. Just present yourself to the triage nurse and tell them you think you are having withdrawal symptoms and from what substances.
Be patient, but within 20-45 minutes they will give you something to take the adage off, 9/10 it is 1mg of Ativan. You’ll hang out in ER for 1-2 hours roughly, and at some point someone will come in and suggest you find a bed in a detox center. Usually once you say that you would like that, a social worker will call around and find an open bed for you. I’ve noticed since Covid, and sometimes when I visited very busy hospitals pre-Covid, instead they will give you a phone and a list of detox centers and you call around and ask yourself.
Many hospitals have a detox center associated with them and it might just be a matter of being wheelchaired to it. A lot of times your next step is an ambulance ride.
At the detox center you’ll go through a orientation, usually you and your possessions will be searched as they don’t want drugs being smuggled in. If you don’t have clothing or inadequate clothing they will find you some Johnies or some places have clothing donations to find stuff in. They usually hook you up with some hygiene stuff. You will be shown to your bed, usually there are 2-4 beds in each room. You usually have a little cubby for your stuff.
If you know you are going here are things I like to bring:
Slides (or slip on shoes), 4 pairs of underwear, three pairs of comfy pants/shorts, 4 t-shirts, sweatshirt or jacket, winter coat in winter, 2-3 books, personal hygiene items and products, I have adult coloring books I bring but I use their markers and pencils, playing cards, puzzles or puzzle books if you like that sort of thing, other time consuming distractions (nothing with alcohol will be allowed, so no mouthwash, perfume, etc. You can ask for a list of recommended and prohibited items. When you select clothing be aware if it has drawstrings they might only let you have it in unit if you let them pull them out)
You will spend about 1/3 of your time in groups, 1/3 in mealtimes, 1/3 watching TV, coloring, playing cards, etc.
Groups are run by a tech or social worker or therapist and the rest of the patients participate. You are usually required to go to groups but if you feel to sick to (or hate them) just say you do t feel good and they will let you lay in your bed