Medical Detox in Albuquerque, NM

Ascend Recovery Center's Medical Detox in Albuquerque, NM, is the medically supervised first step of recovery, clearing alcohol or drugs from the body while a clinical team manages withdrawal. Licensed practical nurses staff the unit 24 hours a day, withdrawal is monitored with the CIWA scale for alcohol and the COWS scale for opioids, and a medical provider evaluates every new patient within hours of arrival. Most clients spend five to seven days in detox before stepping into residential or outpatient care.

Ascend Recovery Center is a Joint Commission accredited and licensed addiction treatment center in New Mexico and offers every level of care under one roof in Albuquerque, with 24/7 nursing.

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Same-day admissions available. Our team verifies insurance and schedules intake, typically the same day.

Submitted information is kept confidential and handled under HIPAA. This is not a guarantee of coverage.

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From people who recovered here

Our Medical Detox Reviews

Mildred Hughes
a month ago
Walking through those doors the first day, my hands wouldn't stop shaking. Alcohol destroyed my relationships and left me completely isolated. Thankfully, the counselors here actually listened instead of lecturing. Sitting in these exact group circles changed everything for me. Hearing other people share their raw, real struggles made the loneliness disappear. Celebrating six months sober today. This place gives you your life back.
Terry Davis
a month ago
Coming here felt like a massive leap into the unknown, especially dealing with all that shame I carried around. The team at Ascend Recovery Center didn't treat me like a problem to be solved, but a person worth helping. There were days I wanted to pack my bags and bolt, but the support here kept me grounded. Now, I actually wake up without that weight on my chest. It's hard to put into words, but this place truly changed my trajectory.
Adrian Segura
7 months ago
Had an amazing experience here, one of the most personable groups of people to come to for recovery and truly helped me with developing the tools necessary to start my recovery. Did the 10 day detox and got exactly what I wanted out of the experience: healthy nutrition, great groups, and even your own personal TV in the rooms to help pass the time. If you're serious about your recovery and want a wholesome, worthwhile and safe place to do it, I recommend coming here.
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Why choose Ascend

Why Choose Our Medical Detox Program in Albuquerque, NM?

Joint Commission accredited and licensed in New Mexico, Ascend offers every level of care under one roof in Albuquerque, with 24/7 nursing in detox and residential care and admissions handled in one confidential call.

Ascend Recovery Center facility exterior in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Around-the-clock nursing during the critical window
Licensed practical nurses staff the unit 24 hours a day, and a medical provider evaluates new detox patients within hours of arrival, so care is continuous when it matters most.
Substance-specific withdrawal management
Alcohol withdrawal is monitored with the CIWA scale for seizure and delirium risk, and opioid withdrawal with the COWS scale, with medication matched to the substance and the client.
A seamless step into ongoing treatment
Because detox, residential, and outpatient care share one Albuquerque campus, a client moves straight into the next level of care without a gap or a new provider.
Medical and psychiatric screening at intake
Intake includes a full nursing assessment and evidence-based screenings, so co-occurring conditions are identified early and built into the plan.
A calm, private 18-bed environment
The small unit is quiet and supervised, and staff know each client, which supports safety and comfort during withdrawal.
Confidential, insurance-verified admissions
One confidential call covers assessment, insurance verification, and scheduling, and benefits are confirmed before a client commits.

Treatment timeline

What to Expect During Medical Detox at Ascend?

IntakeDay 1

1. Assessment and stabilization

A full nursing assessment, CIWA or COWS scoring, and supportive medications begin on arrival, with a medical provider seen within hours.

Acute withdrawalDays 1-3

2. Peak symptoms managed

Symptoms are typically most intense in the first days and are managed with continuous monitoring and medication to keep a client safe and as comfortable as possible.

EasingDays 4-7

3. Symptoms subside

Physical symptoms ease and the clinical team prepares the client for the next level of care while stabilization continues.

Step-downAbout 5-7 days

4. Into residential or outpatient

Length of stay is clinically driven. When ready, a client steps directly into residential or outpatient care on the same campus.

A place built for recovery

Take a Tour of Our Medical Detox Facility in Albuquerque, NM

A calm, private setting designed for healing, from medical detox through outpatient care.

The Ascend Recovery Center building exterior at 881 Lead Ave SE in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a Southwestern adobe facility under a clear blue sky
Reception lounge with soft grey seating and the Ascend Recovery Centers sign at the Albuquerque facility
The Ascend Recovery Centers metal sign and a Buddha statue on a blue accent wall in the Albuquerque lobby
Community dining and common room with a coffee station and lounge seating at Ascend Recovery Center Albuquerque
Group lounge with blue sofas and a television used for group programming at the Albuquerque facility
Bright residential bedroom with natural window light, a black bed frame, and a navy accent pillow at Ascend Recovery Center Albuquerque

How admissions works

Our Medical Detox Admission Process

1

Call our confidential line

One conversation covers a first screening, insurance verification, and scheduling. Support begins with the first call, and nothing shared is used against the person who reaches out.

2

Clinical assessment

Evidence-based screenings, including PHQ-9, GAD-7, the Columbia Suicide Screening, and an ASAM level-of-care assessment, match each client to the right program.

3

The right level of care

If medically supervised detox is needed, the team coordinates a safe arrival with 24/7 nursing. If an outpatient level fits, care starts there instead.

4

Start treatment

Once a plan and coverage are confirmed, treatment begins, with therapy and medication where appropriate carrying through each level of care.

The team behind every client's care

Medical Detox Led by Licensed Clinicians at Ascend

Ascend is led by an experienced behavioral health team focused on quality care and strong outcomes.

Ian Treacy, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Partner at Ascend Recovery Center

Ian Treacy

Chief Executive Officer & Managing Partner
CEOManaging Partner16+ Yrs Behavioral Health

Ian Treacy brings more than 16 years of experience in behavioral healthcare leadership and program development, guiding Ascend's vision, growth, and standard of care.

Samantha Hewett, Chief Operating Officer & Managing Partner at Ascend Recovery Center

Samantha Hewett

Chief Operating Officer & Managing Partner
COOManaging Partner18+ Yrs Healthcare Ops

Samantha Hewett brings more than 18 years of experience leading high-performing healthcare organizations, driving operational strategy and scalable growth across Ascend's facilities.

Lindsay Seslar, National Director of Admissions & Communications at Ascend Recovery Center

Lindsay Seslar

National Director of Admissions & Communications
National Director8+ Yrs Behavioral HealthAdmissions Strategy

Lindsay Seslar brings more than 8 years of experience in behavioral health outreach, admissions strategy, and client engagement, leading admissions and communications across Ascend's network.

Brett Stewart, Director of Business Development at Ascend Recovery Center

Brett Stewart

Director of Business Development
Business DevelopmentReferral PartnershipsCommunity Engagement

Brett Stewart leads business development at Ascend, building the strategic partnerships and referral relationships that connect people to care.

Meet the full team

Insurance

Addiction Treatment Insurance Providers We Work with in Albuquerque, NM

Benefits are verified before a client commits, at no cost and no obligation.

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Where we serve

Medical Detox Services Across Albuquerque & New Mexico

Ascend Recovery Center provides medical detox at its Albuquerque campus at 883 Lead Ave SE, with licensed nurses on site 24 hours a day. It serves clients from across New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe, and the admissions team coordinates a safe arrival in one confidential call.

Medical Detox FAQs

Is medical detox painful?
Withdrawal can be uncomfortable, but the purpose of medical detox is to keep clients as comfortable and safe as possible. Nurses monitor clients around the clock and a provider can use medication to ease symptoms.
How long does detox last at Ascend?
Most people spend an average of five to seven days in detox. The exact length is clinically driven and based on the client's substance, health, and progress, and their team reassesses them throughout.
Does Ascend offer detox for alcohol and opioids?
Yes. We provide alcohol detox with CIWA monitoring and an opioid-specific protocol with COWS monitoring, along with detox support for benzodiazepines, stimulants, prescription drugs, and polysubstance use.
Does Ascend use methadone?
No. Methadone is not in our formulary. Methadone is provided only at federally licensed opioid treatment programs, and we refer out when it is the right fit. We offer Suboxone, Sublocade, and Vivitrol.
Can clients keep their phone during detox?
New detox and residential admissions have a five-day phone blackout, with phone access on day six with approved contacts. This helps clients focus on stabilization early in treatment.
What happens after a client finishes detox?
Clients step down into their next level of care within the Ascend system, such as residential, PHP, or outpatient, so recovery continues without interruption.
Does insurance cover detox?
Insurance often helps cover medically necessary detox. We are approved for Medicaid, Blue Cross, United Healthcare, and Molina, and in network with VACCN, TriWest, and CompPsych. We verify benefits before clients commit.

Detox is the first step, and clients do not take it alone

Our admissions team can arrange a confidential assessment and, when detox is appropriate, coordinate a safe arrival at our Albuquerque facility. Call us or verify insurance to begin.

Verify InsuranceCall (505) 537-5721