Inpatient addiction treatment is medical care, not just time away from substances. Withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines can create serious health risks without the right supervision. At Surfpoint Recovery, reliable rehab treatment starts with physician oversight from the first assessment through detox, residential care, and discharge planning.
Why Physician Oversight Is Non-Negotiable in Detox
Withdrawal affects the body in real ways. Alcohol withdrawal can lead to seizures or delirium tremens. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can also be dangerous without a careful taper. Opioid withdrawal is usually not fatal, but the symptoms can be intense enough to push someone back to use if they are not managed properly.
Safe detox requires more than comfort care. It takes physician-directed medication protocols, nursing support, and the ability to adjust the plan as symptoms change. At Surfpoint Recovery, medical staff are involved in every detox case from day one.
Our nursing team is on-site 24/7 and stays in direct communication with the medical team throughout the process. That matters because withdrawal does not follow a perfect schedule. The care plan has to respond to the patient in real time.
What Our Medical Director Does at Our Brooklyn Facility
Dr. Ramsey Joudeh serves as our Medical Director and oversees the medical side of each patient’s care. Before detox begins, he reviews the intake assessment, including substance history, previous withdrawal issues, current medications, and any health conditions that may affect treatment.
That review shapes the first clinical plan. During detox, the medical team follows the patient’s progress and adjusts the protocol when needed. For alcohol and benzodiazepine detox, this may include vital sign monitoring and medication changes as tapering continues.
For opioid detox, the medical team decides whether medication-assisted treatment may be appropriate and when it should begin. Dr. Joudeh also oversees medical care during residential rehabilitation, including psychiatric medication management and support for patients with other health conditions.
Managing Withdrawal: The Clinical Decisions That Matter
Some of the most meaningful decisions in detox are not dramatic. They may involve changing a medication dose, spotting a complication early, or deciding when a patient is stable enough to move from detox into rehab.
Those decisions require medical judgment. A written protocol helps guide care, but it cannot replace a trained physician reviewing the patient in front of them.
For alcohol withdrawal, care often involves a medically supervised taper. For opioid detox, decisions about Suboxone, Buprenorphine, or other medications depend on the patient’s history, symptoms, and prior treatment experiences. For benzodiazepine detox, tapering has to be handled carefully based on the specific medication and the patient’s condition.
Joseph Turkel, our Assistant Medical Director, works with Dr. Joudeh on patient care, especially when cases are more complex. Having both medical leaders involved helps keep care steady throughout the treatment stay.
Medical Doctors and Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, is one of the most supported approaches for opioid use disorder. The decision to use MAT is made by a physician after reviewing the patient’s clinical needs. At Surfpoint Recovery, our medical team is DEA-authorized to provide MAT medications on-site.
These may include Suboxone, Buprenorphine, Vivitrol, and Sublicaid. Suboxone and Buprenorphine can help manage withdrawal and reduce cravings during and after opioid detox. Vivitrol may be used after detox is complete and helps block opioid receptors for about 30 days per dose.
MAT is not used for every patient. It is recommended when the physician determines it fits the person’s situation and recovery plan. You can find more about our approach to MAT on our treatment programs page.
Ongoing Medical Care During Residential Rehabilitation
A doctor’s role does not stop once detox ends. During residential rehab, patients may still need medical support, medication monitoring, or care for other health concerns.
Some patients need psychiatric medication management for depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, or other co-occurring conditions. Others may need help managing diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic pain, or another medical issue during treatment.
Our nursing staff is available around the clock and communicates concerns to the physician team as they come up. The goal is to treat the whole patient, not just the substance use. Discharge planning also includes the patient’s medical needs so care can continue after they leave Surfpoint Recovery.
Our Medical Leadership at Surfpoint Recovery
The medical quality of a rehab program depends on the people leading it. At Surfpoint Recovery, our medical leadership is named, credentialed, and part of the daily treatment process.
Dr. Ramsey Joudeh, our Medical Director, oversees detox protocols, MAT decisions, and medical care planning. Joseph Turkel, our Assistant Medical Director, works with him on patient cases throughout treatment.
Surfpoint Recovery is CARF-accredited and OASAS-licensed, which means our clinical standards are reviewed by outside organizations. You can learn more about our team on our facility page.
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