Heartwood Detox is a unique and much-needed addition to the healthcare landscape. It places medical detox at the forefront within a supportive and non-institutional environment. It combines medical expertise with compassion, providing a nurturing haven for residents.
“Many hospitals offer detox services without a specific focus, while rehab centers lightly touch on detox. Our vision is clear — a dedicated detox facility for individuals with severe conditions. Heartwood bridges this major divide in the addiction treatment landscape, marrying medical care with emotional healing,” says Michael Dempsey, executive director of Heartwood Detox.
Heartwood Detox holds licenses from the California Department of Health and Human Services and accreditation from joint commissions. Operating from two upscale homes valued between three to four million dollars, it ensures individuals can undergo detox without feeling confined or stigmatized.
Instead of a sterile hospital ward, individuals recover in peaceful rooms with scenic garden views. Attentive nurses check their vitals as they relax in their private, well-appointed rooms. Nutritious, comforting meals are prepared to order. After supportive group discourse, they can reflect on the patio with an inspiring text.
Our vision is clear – a dedicated detox facility for individuals with severe conditions. Heartwood bridges this major divide in the addiction treatment landscape, marrying medical care with emotional healing
Heartwood limits each location to six patients only to facilitate the healing of the whole person — body, mind and spirit.
This allows staff to eschew one-size-fits-all protocols in favor of customized 24/7 support based on the patient’s specific combination of intoxicants, personalized withdrawal symptoms, age, health conditions, and medical history. Care is dynamically adjusted according to the individual’s changing needs. The focus remains on medical stabilization and validation, not excessive sedation.
Approximately 90 percent of the staff members are in recovery, bringing a deep understanding of the journey. The staff intimately understands the struggle for sobriety. With expertise rooted in evidence and experience, they provide a healthy and recovery-oriented atmosphere that combines medical expertise with genuine compassion, recognizing the importance of both aspects in helping people overcome their challenges.
The initial 5-10 day medically managed detox phase focuses on physically stabilizing patients while also preparing them for subsequent treatment steps like rehab, therapy, or support groups. Heartwood operates under the philosophy that restoring physical health is the critical foundation needed before attempting other recovery work. When the body remains broken, true mental clarity is difficult to achieve.
Nourishing meals, serene outdoor spaces and gentle rescue animals contribute to an aura of nurturing and acceptance, not clinical austerity. This promotes patients’ sense of dignity and self-worth. The holistic experience aims to restore stability and possibility, integrating medical expertise, nutritious food, and peaceful outdoor spaces conducive to reflection.
Heartwood’s programming is built on the understanding that patients often face complex polysubstance use, requiring personalized interventions. Even within specific substance categories like alcohol, factors such as age, dependency stage, and genetic risk necessitate tailored approaches. The unpredictable nature of drug interactions in polysubstance use underscores the need for customized support. Heartwood addresses this by providing comprehensive personalization in each healing journey.
For instance, in response to the fentanyl crisis, Heartwood developed a research-backed protocol to stabilize severe cases. By studying global cases and collaborating with physicians, it addressed the prolonged 72-hour presence of fentanyl in the bloodstream post-cessation. Unlike traditional approaches, Heartwood pioneered a protocol to initiate tailored medical treatment immediately upon admission, minimizing discomfort. This, coupled with sleep and nutritional optimization, has proven remarkably effective, with only 1-2 patients leaving mid-detox in years of use.
Recognizing that successful detox extends beyond medical withdrawal, Heartwood crafts a personalized aftercare plan for sustained recovery. Staff collaborates closely with patients to create tailored strategies, including inpatient rehab, outpatient counseling, sober companions, and peer support groups. Leveraging extensive local and national connections, Heartwood ensures continuation plans align with individual preferences, minimizing the risk of relapse.
Heartwood Detox provides warm support for recovery from addiction, valuing individual’s inherent dignity. With a judgment-free approach, the detox process is seen as a hopeful journey surrounded by experienced members. The facility blends evidence-based care with diverse offerings like art therapy and yoga to help individuals discover a fulfilling path to sobriety.
Heartwood extends a welcoming arm as a trusted community to guide each unique journey with compassion beyond addiction’s confines.
