fb pixel

Opiate Overdose

“Reputation of safety and superior medical care, in one exclusive location worldwide.”

How Does an Opioid Overdose Occur?

It is important and sometimes even lifesaving to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of an opiate overdose. Knowing when to dial 911 or when to use an opioid antagonist can mean the difference between living or dying.

opiate overdose

When a person takes too much of an opioid drug like heroin, Oxycodone, or hydrocodone, they can experience respiratory depression, slowed breathing, confusion, unconsciousness, and non-responsiveness. Respiratory distress is one of the most dangerous symptoms. Moreover, the inadequate blood oxygenation (Cerebral Hypoxia) in the brain can cause permanent brain damage or even death. Another harmful consequence of an opiate overdose is a slowed or stopped heartbeat, which can also be fatal.

In a simple description, opioid drugs attach to specific receptor sites, including those in the brain stem. The brain stem manages essential functions such as breathing and blood pressure. However, the stem function may stop working when it is affected by an opiate overdose.

Speak Confidentially

with an opiate detox treatment expert.

Signs of an Opioid Overdose can Include:

  • Pinned pupils.
  • Respiratory depression (Labored or no breathing.)
  • Unconsciousness/non-responsiveness.
  • Limp body.
  • Vomiting.
  • Pale face.
  • Clammy skin.
  • Purple or blue color lips and fingernails.

If any “ONE” of these symptoms presents, please seek emergency medical assistance immediately.

NIH(National Institute of Drug Abuse) Reports on U.S. Overdose Deaths – Among the 64,000 plus drug overdose deaths in 2016, the sharpest increase is within those related to fentanyl and fentanyl analogs (synthetic opioids).

Contributing Overdose Risk Factors

The risk of overdose increases when opioid drugs are used outside prescription guidelines or bought from the street. Numerous other factors may influence the risk and severity of the overdose.

  • Mixing Drugs: While the mixture of substances like alcohol and sedatives are present in many opioid overdose deaths, it is possible to take too much of a prescribed drug accidentally.
  • Relapse: Also, when relapse occurs, the opioid user is at much higher risk of an overdose. After a certain period of abstinence, tolerance levels are naturally reset and returning to the same dose can be risky.
  • Laced Street Drugs: Fatal drug overdose deaths are spiking in cities across the nation. Toxic street drugs continue to work their way from town to town, leaving a trail of destruction, death and broken lives.
  • Method of Use: Injecting or snorting an opiate, may be much riskier than a slower metabolic manner such as ingesting or smoking the drug.

What to do in Case of an Opiate Overdose?

(These are opinions based on other sites. It should be not used as guidance in an overdose situation.)

Sometimes is very difficult to tell if someone is exceptionally high or experiencing an overdose. Therefore, if you are having doubts, it is best to treat the situation as an overdose. Confusing situations are often a missed opportunity to intervene and save a life.

It is recommended to call 911 in the case of an opiate overdose because it is essential to have trained medical professionals assess and treat the overdosing person.

Most importantly, if you have a Naloxone kit, use it. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist and will only work for opioids. So, it does not reverse an overdose of cocaine, speed, benzos, alcohol or other non-opioid based drugs. If a person is non-responsive or not breathing after receiving naloxone and rescue breathing, then the victim needs immediate CPR and emergency medical professionals. In addition, if you need to leave the overdosing person alone even for a minute, make sure you put them on their side. A bent knee should support their body, and the face should be turned to the side. This position will help prevent them from choking on their vomit if they begin to throw-up.
The most important thing is to act right away!

This section outlines the necessary procedures when responding to an opioid overdose:

  • Call for help (or administer naloxone, whatever is quickest!)
  • Administer a form of naloxone
  • CPR- Perform rescue breathing or chest compressions

For more descriptive information, please read “Responding to an overdose” or other educational sites.

The internet has become a breeding ground for false information, especially true for medical claims from other countries. It is crucial to verify the credibility of these claims before taking them at face value. When researching a reputable medical detox program, look for licensed and accredited medical professionals from well-known institutions. This will help to ensure that the information you are receiving is accurate and reliable. Don’t let false claims of overnight miracles lead you astray – take the time to verify their credibility and credentials before making any decisions.

 

In today’s world of increasingly advanced technology and medical science, it can be easy to forget that not all doctors are as reliable or trustworthy as we might hope. At the same time, most physicians are reputable and well-trained experts dedicated to helping their patients, but some so-called “gypsy doctors” lack proper licensing, insurance, or professional affiliations. These doctors operate without fear of censure or consequence, freely misleading patients to earn a more significant profit.

 

While it is tempting to believe that such unscrupulous behavior is rare in the medical field, sadly, this is simply not the case. These gypsy doctors take advantage of vulnerable individuals seeking help for their health, from routine checkups and general care to highly specialized procedures and operations. To protect ourselves from these dishonest actors masquerading as medical professionals, we must stay informed about the warning signs that can distinguish legitimate doctors from scam artists.

 

When choosing a treatment center, we highly recommend checking licenses, certifications, and long-term reputation in the U.S.; without these items, there are more opportunities for false hope, leading to disappointment, financial loss, and bodily harm.

Waismann Method is considered the most thorough and safe sedation detox available worldwide.

We are proud to have Michael H. Lowenstein, M.D. as our medical director for over two decades. Dr. Lowenstein is a quadruple board-certified anesthesiologist and is currently the most experienced doctor in sedation-assisted detox. Although other non-licensed doctors try to affiliate their similar names to our success, Waismann Method® is not affiliated with clinics or doctors elsewhere. We have always been at the forefront of medical innovation and set quality care standards. Dr. Lowenstein’s experience and expertise are unmatched, and we are honored to have him as a part of our team. Thanks to him, we have helped thousands of people overcome addiction and start new lives.

 

It is widely acknowledged that an effective doctor-patient relationship is crucial to responsible medicine. According to Dr. Lowenstein, this relationship must be grounded in trust, based on the ethical principle that places the patient’s welfare above self-interest. To build this trusting relationship, both parties need to be realistic about expectations, abilities, and limitations – especially those of the treating physician.

 

To achieve this level of honesty and accountability, a physician must possess certain vital qualities: humility, honesty, and selflessness. These qualities allow doctors to communicate openly and honestly with their patients, putting their well-being above their interests. By fostering an environment of trust and collaboration between themselves and their patients, responsible doctors can deliver effective treatment outcomes that are ultimately in the best interests of all involved.

Despite being the premier rapid detox center globally, Waismann Method® offers much more than just rapid detox. Our approach’s core is a commitment to individualized care that fully meets each patient’s unique needs and clinical conditions. We work closely with patients and their doctors to create customized treatment protocols that consider medical history, current health status, and lifestyle preferences to achieve this goal. Additionally, our medical professionals thoroughly evaluate each patient before beginning the detox process, allowing us to identify potential risks and harms and tailor our approach accordingly. This comprehensive yet personalized approach sets Waismann Method® apart from other rapid detox centers and makes us the best choice for anyone seeking safe and effective opioid detoxification.

Despite the many claims of “overnight cures” and “miraculous reversal of time” in the health care industry, our experts recognize that reversing the effects of opioid use can be a complex and lengthy process for some patients. For those who have been using opioids for a long time or whose nervous system has been significantly impacted by these drugs, it is impossible to rapidly identify and reverse dysregulations in the body or restore function to pre-opioid use disorder states.

 

Nevertheless, we have helped thousands of patients achieve an opioid-free state and begin reversing the effects of chronic opioid use on their bodies. Our health care professionals work to alleviate pain and promote physical healing through targeted treatments and other supportive measures, helping patients gradually restore their nervous systems to regain health and vitality. So if you are struggling with opioid addiction, don’t hesitate to turn to our team for help. We can support you every step of your path toward recovery.

In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on personalized medicine in healthcare. This approach to medical treatment takes into account a patient’s unique characteristics, such as their genetic profile, history, and current health status. Doctors can tailor treatments to each patient by considering these factors, providing the most effective care possible. In many cases, personalized medicine can mean life and death. As our understanding of genetics and disease continues to improve, the potential for personalized medicine to transform healthcare is limitless.

Patients fly from all over the world to our exclusive Southern California location. Upon arrival, a representative greets them at the airport, where their path to recovery begins. We have become a worldwide leader in medically assisted opioid treatment by offering our services exclusively in one single location. Furthermore, spending two to three days (or whatever time is medically indicated) in a full-service JACHO-accredited hospital and recovering for a few days in a private recovery center provides patients with the time and level of care from a responsible, effective treatment program.

 

The Waismann Method has been operating exclusively in California for 24 years; we have put all our effort into one sing location worldwide. Our experience has taught us that it’s best to do a few things well rather than spread ourselves thin. It is difficult to replicate our medical director’s quadruple board certifications, experience in treating thousands of patients for a quarter of a decade, and specialized recovery center (Domus Retreat). Because of that commitment, we’ve built a reputation of excellence as well as a solid commitment to our patients and employees. We’re proud to be based here and look forward to continuing to serve patients from all over the world for many years to come.

* WAISMANN METHOD® treatment program has no affiliation with other doctors or centers around the world.

Preventing an Opioid Overdose

The best way to avoid an overdose of an illegal opiate is not to take the drug at all. Street drugs have become more and more dangerous. Fentanyl-Laced heroin has and continues to kill thousands of people. Here are some preventative measures you can try:

  • Do not mix prescription painkillers with alcohol, sleeping pills, or illicit substances.
  • Use care when taking an addictive painkiller. Doctors should prescribe these medications at only safe doses and carefully monitor the dosage and length of the treatment course.
  • Take medicine as prescribed
  • If you are already dependent on opioids, find a medical detox that can get you through the withdrawal phase. Seek a treatment center that will treat your drug dependence based on your unique needs.
  • Control your opioid cravings. There are nonaddictive medications available such as Naltrexone or Vivitrol. These medications are the primary tool to help eliminate physical cravings after an effective detox.
  • Seek a mental health professional. Sometimes untreated emotional conditions such as trauma, depression, and anxiety can create relapse triggers. Work with a mental health provider that understands neuroscience, one that carefully listens to you. One that sees your distress and provides the necessary tools you need to proceed with a healthy and productive life.
  • Store medicine safely where children or pets cannot reach it
  • Dispose of any unused medication

Opioid Addiction Treatment

A recent survey in the US found that the distribution of approximately 50,000 naloxone kits has resulted in more than 10,000 uses to reverse overdoses. Programs around the world have shown that providing naltrexone post detox, has also been a significant tool in relapse prevention.

The Waismann Method®  opioid treatment center has always been ahead of its time. We medically support all patients throughout the withdrawal period, which makes the opiate detox almost bulletproof. Furthermore, we have been prescribing Naltrexone to our patients for nearly two decades.

Naltrexone is an FDA approved antagonist and an opioid-blocking medication. Also, this medication is non-addictive and does not cause withdrawal if discontinued. Patients who have undergone our medical detoxification, followed by oral naltrexone and adequate mental health assistance have the best chance to remain opiate free. Some patients are just amazed by the lack of opiate cravings they feel while using Naltrexone.

We have the science and the resources. Now, let’s start saving lives!

Contact us and learn more about the best treatment options available for you!

Waismann Method VS Other Detox Centers

BE AWARE! If the Components Below Are Not Available, It is NOT the Waismann Method ®

Waismann Method Treatment Entails:

* Because opiate and alcohol withdrawal can lead to medical complications, treatment by a multi board-certified M.D. is pertinent.

What's New at Waismann Method®