How Does Anesthesia Detox Work?
It is vital to have a clear understanding of what anesthesia detox is, how it works and the differences between anesthesia 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 sedated, the patient is not subject to discomfort or relapse. When the patient awakens, detoxification is complete, and there is no awareness of experiencing severe withdrawal syndrome. More importantly, the blockage of physical craving with naltrexone therapy can be initiated to reduce the risk of relapse. Rapid detoxification under anesthesia has assisted thousands of patients in achieving freedom from opioid addiction.
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Anesthesia Detox Centers
Rapid detox started in the late 1970s when doctors began writing about their work with anesthesia detox protocols. Since its first report in the late ’70s, 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.
What Medications Are Used for Detoxification Under Anesthesia?
Anesthesia detox uses an infusion of FDA-approved medications including sedatives and antagonists. These intravenous medications quickly induce withdrawal and remove 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 to make sure that the withdrawal is proceeding successfully.
Is Anesthesia-Assisted Detox Safe?
The Waismann Method® has performed thousands of successful anesthesia detox procedures, for nearly two decades. When physicians provide 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. Sedating the patient allows the patient not to have a recollection of most of the severe discomfort associated with an opioid withdrawal syndrome. Sleeping through the anesthesia-assisted rapid opiate detox provides for a higher success rate than most other forms of opioid detoxification.
It is essential that an experienced anesthesiologist should perform the anesthesia detox in a full-service hospital. Furthermore, having treatment is a hospital provides patients with additional medical specialists who can accurately assess and assist in each case.
Am I a Candidate for Anesthesia Detoxification?
Treatment centers should tailor protocols based on patients’ unique history and conditions. Anesthesia-assisted detox is not for everyone, and in this case, other medical options should be available. Regardless of which detox is chosen, with or without anesthesia, medical resources must be abundant. Additionally, hospital discharge should rely only on the doctors believe that the patient is ready. There should be no pre-set time or urgency to discharge.
Ultimately, anesthesia 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.