What is Anesthesia Detox?

It is vital to have a clear understanding of what anesthesia-assisted detoxification is and the differences between rapid detox centers. Anesthesia Detox methods use opioid antagonist medications to shorten the duration of acute withdrawal to a period of minutes instead of several days or weeks. Furthermore, while under anesthesia the patient is not subject to discomfort or relapse. When the patient awakens, detoxification is complete and yet there is no awareness of experiencing the severe withdrawal syndrome. Physical craving is blocked, and oral naltrexone can be initiated to reduce the risk of relapse. Rapid detoxification under anesthesia has assisted thousands of patients to achieve freedom from opioid addiction.

Rapid Detox started in the late 1970’s when doctors began writing about their work with anesthesia detox protocols. Since its first report in the late 70’s, detoxification under anesthesia has gained tremendous popularity. Prominent physicians in this exciting and promising field of pharmacology and addiction medicine include Dr. Kebler, Dr. Loimer, Dr. Resnick, and Dr. Legarda.  Their remarkable and revolutionary work has allowed thousands of patients to complete detoxification from opiates in a safe, efficient and humane manner.

How does it Work?

Anesthesia Detox uses an infusion of FDA-approved medications including sedatives and antagonists. These intravenous medications quickly induces a withdrawal and removes the opioids from the receptors while the patient is under sedation. The process takes place in an ICU of a hospital and lasts approximately 30 to 90 minutes. Throughout the detox process, a board-certified anesthesiologist and his team monitor patients’ vital signs to ensure stability and that the withdrawal is proceeding successfully.

How Safe is Detoxification under Anesthesia?

When facilities perform anesthesia assisted opiate detox responsibly, the results are astounding. The positive results achieved with anesthesia assisted opioid detox are much higher than with the traditional methods of detoxification. This protocol significantly reduces the length of withdrawal symptoms, along with the severity of the symptoms. The sedation of the patient allows for most of the severe discomfort associated with an opioid withdrawal syndrome to be overcome while the patient is unconscious. This results in a higher success rate. An experienced anesthesiologist should perform the anesthesia detox in a full-service hospital. A hospital provides patients with additional medical specialists that can accurately assess and assist in each case.

Treatment centers should tailor treatment protocols based on patients’ unique history and conditions. One detox technique should never offered to everyone and anesthesia assisted detox is no exception to this rule. Additional detox options should be available based on each individual’s needs. Medical resources must be abundant. There should be no pre-set time or urgency to discharge. Additionally, detox centers should treat patients in private rooms, allowing for undivided attention and individualized medical care. Following these basic rules maximizes rapid detox safety and ensures the comfort of the patient.

In response to news including a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report titled ‘severe adverse effects associated with rapid anesthesia detox programs’, Waismann Method® Medical Director Dr. Michael Lowenstein is calling for the creation of basic standards of care for all anesthesia assisted detox programs. “We should not cut corners, provide insufficient medical care or offer overnight miracles” says Dr. Lowenstein. These practices minimize the success of the process and maximize the potential risks to patients.

 

Where is Anesthesia Detox Performed?

Anesthesia Detox should always be performed in an ICU of a full-service hospital, under the care of skilled anesthesiologists. A full-service hospital provides patients with a considerate amount of medical resources. These additional medical services can be utilized for a consultation or immediate assistance in case of an emergency. Some rapid detox centers have utilized overnight surgical centers to cut costs. Surgical centers are usually not able to provide the critical services that a full-service accredited hospital is. Consequently, anesthesia detox safety, comfort, and effectiveness can be compromised.

Services provided in a full-service hospital and not usually available in a surgical center:

• The necessary inpatient time for physicians to understand how the patient reacts to key medications used during anesthesia detox.
• Private Rooms pre, during, and post detox, which allows the physician to provide complete medical care and attention to the patient. It also maintains a higher level of comfort, dignity, and privacy.
• The immediate medical resources one may require to ensure maximum safety and comfort of the patient.
• The availability of additional medical specialists for a comprehensive individual assessment and before a tailored detoxification plan is set.
• An ICU Unit provides close and constant attention by a team of specially-trained healthcare providers.
• Having various medical units and departments allows the ability to change the detox protocol, to better comply with patients medical needs; therefore, providing a safer and more efficient outcome.
• A hospital has no preset time restraints like a surgical center, and patients can extend their stay post detox if medically necessary. A hospital environment will reduce the chances of a patient being rushed to recover, prematurely discharge, or even have to be transferred to another facility.

What Happens after Accelerated Detox?

Numerous different organ functions change once an individual begins using opioids, and these organs will need to find a new baseline, a new way to function. There is a significant chemical deregulation that occurs as a result of the opioid use, and the process of re-regulating has just begun. While there usually is some discomfort throughout the transitional phase, you are in a hospital, and the medical staff will help with identifying, mitigating, and eliminating some of the unpleasant symptoms.

Most patients are ready for the final phase of the process, which happens in a few days at an exclusive recovery center. At the recovery center patients have around the clock staff, providing continuous care. This is a challenging time where emotions and unfamiliar feelings might be surfacing. The protocol may complicate simple functions such as sleep, maintaining energy or gastrointestinal activity; having adequate support at this time, without the pressures family and loved ones can insert, can pretty much dictate the success of the process.

Benefits of Rapid Detox under Anesthesia

Mission almost completed! Now we need to navigate through the regulation period for a few days. An inpatient recovery center allows individuals to receive professional support through this new phase. The patient is then able to return home and resume normal activities like work and school relatively quickly, while opiate-free. Anesthesia detox does not claim to be a cure for drug addiction. The technique chemically reverses opioid physical dependence, so that individuals can get a fresh start on life again. Waismann Method® recommends ongoing counseling or individualized mental health support to help ensure abstinence.