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The Benefits & Hazards of Ultra-Rapid Detox

Ultra-rapid detox is a detoxification procedure applied to people physiologically addicted to opiates, such as heroin, in which the patient is administered an opiate blocker, usually while under a general anesthetic. Proponents of the procedure argue that it mitigates withdrawal symptoms, which can often be severe. However, the treatment brings with it a number of hazards.

  1. Less Painful

    • Proponents of ultra-rapid detox argue that the procedure makes withdrawal less painful for those whose bodies must adjust chemically to being deprived of their opiate of choice. Withdrawal of opiates can often trigger pain, nausea and intense cravings, which may trigger a relapse. By being under anesthesia, patients may sleep through some of the worst symptoms, making it easier to kick the drug.

    Pain After Waking Up

    • Although touted as painless, ultra-rapid detox patients only experience pain when they are under anesthesia: when they wake up, the pain is often still present. A study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" found that upon waking up, patients of ultra-rapid detox experienced severe discomfort. One of the study's authors, Eric Collins, M.D., of Columbia University, stated that the procedure moderated pain only during the time in which the patient was under sedation.

    Medical Complications

    • According to the NIDA study, ultra-rapid detox also presents a number of potentially dangerous medical complications for patients. For example, fluid can accumulate in the lungs; underlying bipolar illness can worsen and diabetic conditions can be exacerbated. This makes the procedure inadvisable for patients with some psychiatric disorders, serious diabetes, a history of pneumonia or hepatitis, AIDS and heart disease.

    Anesthesia Risks

    • Anesthesia can present significant risks to patients, especially when used for the prolonged period of time necessary to undergo ultra-rapid detox. According to "USA Today," almost 10% of anesthesia patients in the NIDA study suffered life-threatening events while under anesthesia, despite strict adherence to safety procedures.

    Expensive

    • According to the newspaper "USA Today", ultra-rapid detox is extremely costly, with some centers charging over $10,000 for the procedure. What's more, insurance companies will seldom cover it, meaning that those undergoing have to pay out of pocket. Given that ultra-rapid detox has not been shown to be any more effective than other methods, this outlay of funds may be better used to assist in recovery, such as by paying for additional counseling.

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