As opioid misuse and addiction continue to prevail in the United States, more and more individuals are seeking out methods for opioid detox and treatment. However, in a society that places high value on immediacy, many people rush to choose the quickest method of detox possible. Unfortunately, just because rapid detox and ultra-rapid detox are fast, does not mean they are ideal for you.
If you or a loved one would like to know more about detox options, contact Vertava Health at 844.470.0410 today. Our medical drug and alcohol detox team is available to answer your questions and provide further guidance.
What Is Detox?
For someone who is suffering from an opioid addiction, detox is the period of time it takes for the body to get rid of the toxic drugs that have been in their system. This is a necessary step to rid the body’s system of the harmful influence of prescription painkillers. Detoxing from opioids should be done under medical supervision. This way, doctors are able:
- To make a patient more comfortable
- Manage withdrawal symptoms
- Intervene quickly if something goes wrong
Unsupervised detox from opioids can be highly dangerous, even deadly.
What Is Rapid Detox And Ultra-Rapid Detox?
Introduced in the 80s, rapid detox is formally called anesthesia-assisted opiate detoxification. This goal is to complete the withdrawal process as quickly as possible. Since older detoxification methods were excruciating, rapid detox was developed to help reduce pain and increase the number of patients that detoxed successfully. A patient is given medication to speed up the onset and process of detox, then administered medications to help treat withdrawal symptoms that occur during detox.
What Is Ultra-Rapid Detox?
Ultra-rapid detox is a variation of the rapid detox method. It involves the use of anesthesia to put patients into a medically induced coma during the detoxification process. This is done in order to numb any withdrawal symptoms that occur over the course of the detox, allowing for a more efficient and speedy process. While the patient is unconscious, they are administered medication to speed up the detoxification process.
The accelerated detoxification process will typically last six to eight hours. However, since there is very little research on these procedures, no one is quite sure if the benefits of rapid detoxification outweigh the risks. Due to this, these methods of treatment remain quite controversial.
Risks of Rapid Detox and Ultra-Rapid Detox
While sleeping through or speeding up the detox process can sound appealing, it can come with intense complications such as:
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Rapid breathing
- Respiratory distress
- Acute renal failure
- Psychosis
- Delirium
- Attempted suicide
- Fatality
To be considered for one of these procedures, doctors suggest that a person must generally be healthy and have no more than two co-occurring disorders or conditions. These procedures can lead to further complications or adverse reactions if a person is not in the right state.
What Happens After Detox?
Regardless of the method, detox does not represent complete treatment for addiction for opioid dependency. While detox is important, it is only the first step to recovery. After detox has been completed, it’s critical that patients seek out an addiction treatment program. Working with professionals after detox will help patients set boundaries, build healthy relationships and discover methods to help combat cravings during recovery.
Heal at a Vertava Health Detox Today
While there is no cure for addiction, it’s a disease that can be managed with the right tools, guidance, and support. If you or a loved have questions about detox, contact Vertava Health at 844.470.0410 today. Our detox programs offer an array of methods and treatments to help manage withdrawal symptoms and provide comfort during the detox process. Don’t wait any longer—start your journey to sobriety today.
