There are distinct differences between rapid detox providers that can impact your safety, comfort and procedure success. The most significant differences between rapid detox centers include the treating medical doctors’ amount of experience and credentials, the centers’ reputations, the facilities’ accreditation, their immediate medical resources and available specialists, and inpatient recovery care.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) reported that drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. The study shows that 2 million Americans had a prescription pain abuse disorder in 2015, and 591,000 had a disorder involving heroin. With these tragic numbers, some treatment centers began advertising overnight rapid detox protocols. These fast and often irresponsible techniques are not what a rapid detox procedure was meant to be.
Rapid Detox Center Differences
How Rapid Detox Works
Ultra rapid detox was established in the late 1980s and entails sedating patients in a hospital while an opiate blocker — such as naltrexone — is administered to induce and speed opioid detoxification. Upon waking, patients do not remember the detoxification and remain in the hospital until physically stable for discharge. Patents who stay in a recovery center for a few extra days to overcome the regulation phase are much more likely to succeed.
Over the past decade or so, many “rapid opiate detox centers” have popped up all across the country. More and more, providers are cutting corners and not providing an adequate level of medical care. Furthermore, patients do not have an appropriate amount of inpatient time in a proper medical facility. Subsequently, the medical community criticized “rapid detox” because of patient safety concerns.
While traditional detox treatments for opioid drugs can require extended time and involve intense discomfort, a rapid detox performed by an expert in a hospital can facilitate medically assisted withdrawal completion in a short amount of time.
Rapid Detox Differences and Safety Requirements
To understand rapid detox differences, you need to be aware of the necessary safety requirements:
- A Full-Service Hospital
An accredited full-service hospital provides access to specialists for consultation and immediate medical assistance when needed. This medical accessibility significantly contributes to the safety and effectiveness of the rapid detox procedure. Hospitals can offer a broad range of medical services not available in overnight surgical centers. These are just a few of the advantages the hospital setting provides that are often not found in surgery centers.
- Experienced, Credentialed Physicians
A physician with extensive experience in rapid detox can modify each procedure based on the patient’s health, age and dependency history. Furthermore, having the proper credentials from recognized and reputable medical institutions can also show the capacity and competency of the treating doctor. A doctor’s ability to identify and implement modifications to the procedure at any given time is founded on a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience.
- Adequate, Inpatient Pre-Evaluation
Each patient’s physiological response to medications varies significantly. Some patients receive a small dosage of commonly used drugs and become overly sedated, have low blood pressure or even a slow heart rate. Other patients might need more substantial doses or different medications to maintain the expected stability and comfort.
Comprehensive pre-treatment testing includes X-rays, CT scans, blood tests, an echocardiogram, urinalysis, and an ECG. These preliminary tests ensure safety and reconfirm that anesthesia opiate detoxification is the safest treatment option for the patient.
Another primary requirement should be the absolute knowledge of what the patient has ingested or used the the 24 hours prior to their rapid detox. For this reason, hospital admission the day before the procedure is a must. Any unknown substances, varying dosages or even consumed foods can directly affect events throughout the detoxification. The treating physician should require at least one day of assessment in the hospital before anesthesia detox to accurately identify the correct drugs and dosages the patient will need during detoxification.
- Length and Type of Anesthesia Used During Rapid Detox
Rapid detox centers that are still using general anesthesia for two to six hours are using an old protocol. This archaic form of detox can pose significant and unnecessary health risks to the patient. Medicine is an evolving science, and anesthesia-assisted detoxification has also evolved over the past two decades. Physicians should use the most current, effective and safest protocols.
- Private ICU Room
Rapid detox can cause sudden physiological changes that might require comprehensive medical care. For this reason, undivided attention in an ICU is crucial for the patient’s safety and comfor. Furthermore, patients should remain in the ICU overnight for monitoring of blood pressure, chemical levels (such as salt and minerals in the bloodstream), and respiratory function.
An ICU is also equipped to manage acute needs such as any unexpected complications or if the patient develops irregularities. Also, this highly advanced area of the hospital has skilled medical staff and specialized equipment on hand. During and after detox, patients should be in an ICU where they can receive the extensive and individualized monitoring required to ensure their well-being.
- Rapid Detox Aftercare (Recovery Care)
After detox, essential organ functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, fluid retention, sleep patterns and emotional balance will be trying to regulate. While this process can be smooth for some, others may find it incredibly difficult. At a private recovery center, professional support can make this challenging phase much more comfortable and safer for the patient. Spending several days in our private recovery center can make all the difference in the patient’s success.
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Rapid Detox Center in a Full-Service Hospital
Waismann Method® — The Wise Choice for Rapid Detox
Waismann Institute® has been the leading rapid detox center worldwide for over 20 years.
Our medical director is one of the pioneers of rapid drug detoxification. His credentials, experience and success with detoxification under sedation are unparalleled. Dr. Michael H. Lowenstein, MD, and the Waismann Method® team are the pioneers and leaders in the evolution and advancement of anesthesia-assisted detox.