Rapid detox is a method whereby a person is put under total sedation for the period of time it takes for the body to undergo complete detoxification. This method is usually only used in patients who are addicted to opioids, such as heroin or cocaine. Because a person is literally unconscious, just as they would be if they were undergoing surgery, rapid detox can usually only be done in a hospital intensive care unit. This is because constant and stringent monitoring of a patient’s condition and vital signs is necessary throughout the entire process.
Because rapid detox is so medically intensive, most treatment centers do not have the facilities to provide this type of treatment. However, this treatment method has been shown to increase the success of programs offered by drug treatment centers; therefore, it can be a viable option when starting a treatment program.
Rapid detox will not take the place of treatment centers. Further rehabilitation at drug treatment centers is necessary after rapid detox has occurred. The medical procedures involved in rapid detox are only meant to cleanse the body of the opioids so that a treatment program can be implemented that will help the patient deal with the factors that caused the addiction, and learn how to control the addiction.
Only a health care professional can determine if a person is capable of undergoing rapid detox. For some, it may simply be too dangerous. No matter what the decision, however, treatment centers can still offer rehabilitation programs for those addicted to opioids or other drugs. For information on drug treatment centers that can provide help after rapid detox has taken place, please visit http://www.drugstrategies.org/ or call 1-800-559-9503
