All About Rapid Detoxification

All about Rapid Detoxification

Rapid detoxification is other wise known as rapid opiate detox or ultra rapid detox. It is a method of drug withdrawal in a person who is addicted to some types of drugs. A physical addiction to drugs is a very serious medial issue as well that has to be monitored by health care experts when a person lessens or abolishes the substances such that the body has become dependent upon. In a traditional way, body detoxification was actually a long process, lasting anywhere from a few day to a week. But rapid detoxification is a remedial process that permits detoxification to happen with in a single span of day.

Further rapid detoxification is used to rapidly eradicate the tremendously uncomfortable and life bullying removal of opiates, heroin, prescription medications and other alcohol. Withdrawal signs of these drugs comprises of quivering, sweating, confusion, headaches, longings, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, sleeplessness, agitation, depression and also anxiety. Sometimes, seizures and heart attacks could also occur from rapid detoxification.

A person experiencing rapid detoxification should be placed under anesthesia for about four to six hours. Under the control of doctors, the person is managed a particular medication, which speeds up the removal process in the body. Because the patient is anesthetized and unaware, he or she does not feel the withdrawal symptoms, which accompany the customary detox time.

The medications that are used in rapid detoxification work by blocking the receptors in the brain, which is accountable for absorbing the substance that the patient is keen to. This causes the body to start to drive out the toxins and as a result causes removal signs and symptoms. Once a person's body is free of the things or substances, which were abused, they could start the drug or alcohol revival and treatment processes. Substance abu se treatment generally incorporates education, psychiatric therapy and learning lifestyle changes.

Like almost everything, there are as well some pros and cons to rapid detox. This method might assist to motivate people with addictions to look for treatment as they do not have to fear the tender experience of withdrawal and detox. It is also positive as it allows a person to start recovery sooner.

Methadone Treatment, Addiction and Detox

Most people associate methadone with opioid treatment, to help addicts get off heroin, for example, and ease them into recovery, free of any drugs or pharmacological intervention. By design it works, but as with anything, there are times when the use of the drug is abused.

For starters, methadone is a synthetic opioid, and beyond drug addiction treatment, methadone is used as an analgesic for treatment of various pain conditions. It is a powerful pain killer, used as a substitute for morphine, and it is less expensive. When methadone is prescribed, there is careful monitoring of the dosage and frequency of use, so patients are closely watched.

Why methadone for opioid addiction treatment? Patients are placed on a methadone program to help with the withdrawal symptoms from addiction to opiate drugs, such as heroin. Those suffering from the disease will explain that the withdrawal is worse than the actual addiction, so many avoid treatment for fear that the withdrawal will be too severe. Also, when off their opiate drug of choice, addicts have to deal with the intense cravings that go along with abstinence.

Therefore, methadone, used under very controlled circumstances, is a tool to help addicts come down off the drugs without severe consequences. Understand that methadone is classified as a schedule II of the Controlled Substance Act, so even though it is used as a tool for treatment, it is still a powerful drug and can easily be abused. When used as an analgesic, physicians must have Drug Enforcement Agency registration. You can see that there are serious controls on methadone, and getting a prescription is not easy.

The physicians who are authorized to prescribe methadone have made an application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the FDA, along with the Department of Health and Social Services, decide the dosage and the cases where methadone may be used. Clinics that use it have extra state and federal licenses. Moreover, because there are so many controls, there are only about 700 methadone clinics in the country, and some states do not have any methadone clinics at all. Addicts do not have an easy path to methadone treatment, and even if they do have access, the regimen itself is highly controlled and many addicts have difficulty following the plan.

Methadone can be taken by injection, or by mouth. When administered for the control of opioid withdrawal, methadone doses are slowly increased over five to seven days, but this is not always the case. It depends on how the patient responds to the treatment. For example, if the patient has a high tolerance to opioids, then the dosage will be higher, if necessary. Outpatients are encouraged to make frequent reports to medical staff during the early stages of treatment. This communication is vital to determining the proper dosage of the methadone. Each individual may need to have several adjustments before the right dosage is achieved.

Because methadone is a synthetic opioid, there are side effects which should be clearly understood. Patients can experience respiratory depression, which of course is a major concern for heroin users. Likewise, it is not uncommon for patients to have nausea, or to become confused. Patients also need to understand that methadone and alcohol do not mix, and the use of any other drug must be strictly by design and carefully considered.

There are alternatives to methadone treatment. For example, buprenorphine allows for an easier withdrawal. Remember, the patient has to withdraw from the heroin, and then be eased off the methadone. Buprenorphine is also different because if a person decides to abuse the drug for recreational purposes, they will be disappointed because they won't get high. They will, however, get the side effects. Opioid addiction in the last 10 years has also seen the advent of suboxone treatment, but like methadone, suboxone, a synthetic opioid, can be abused.

The important thing to remember about methadone detox is that the drug is used to help a person avoid the discomfort of withdrawal. It is a serious drug and carries serious consequences when abused. Persons seeking methadone treatment need to understand that the strict controls and the heavy oversight of their program are needed to ensure that the treatment is effective.





Ned Wicker is the Addictions Recovery Chaplain at Waukesha Memorial Hospital Lawrence Center, the author's website for addiction support:

Drug-Addiction-Support.org or

Drug Addiction Symptoms




Drug and Alcohol Detoxification with a Holistic Approach - Alcoholism, Heroin Addiction, Opiate Addiction, Prescription Drug Addiction and Others by John Giordano, CAP, MAC, CCJS and Trina Geiss, MPH

April 14, 2004 -- Today's drug and alcohol detoxification centers are really just stabilization centers. In order to comply with the term โ€˜detox', detoxification centers would have to wait until all drugs are out of the client's system before discharging them. This, of course, is not cost effective. There are several new approaches to treatment that not only aid in alleviating the symptoms associated with addiction, but also enable the individual to embark upon a new life with a more positive outlook than ever before. These new treatments are considered complementary, or alternative to conventional medicine. Unfortunately, addicted individuals are far from functioning in society if they do not enter a treatment program immediately following a detox episode. Otherwise, they are sure to fail and relapse back into their drug abuse. With our current โ€˜detox' methods, failure occurs much more often than not and most people never make it to receive the type of treatment they need. This is because most of the individuals leaving detoxification centers are still drug affected, rendering them unable to make clear decisions about treatment programs and recovery options. In order to effectively combat this alarming and growing problem, alternative treatment methods must be explored.





One such complementary modality that is quite popular for a variety of functions is acupuncture therapy. Acupuncture is most widely used for its pain relieving properties through sensory stimulation2. More recently, acupuncture has been shown to successfully treat depression4,5 and alcohol withdrawal7. Acupuncture can be an efficacious treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms when used in combination with traditional therapies7. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce the desire for alcohol1. The relief acupuncture causes works through local tissue healing effect and central anti-stress mechanisms2. Acupuncture detoxification therapy uses the application of acupuncture needles to the ear, also called auricular acupuncture. These points target different bodily functions and organs. The effects witnessed on the individual include relaxation, decreased anxiety and restlessness, reduced perspiration, intestinal cramps, watery eyes, and sneezing. It also aids in the excretion of toxic substances for a speedier recovery3,11. Acupuncture for addicted individuals supports a positive mood, relieves stress, and aids in craving control. This therapy also appears to assist in the healing process of the mind based on the client's affect. In Oregon, heroin addicts MUST try acupuncture before getting methadone6. The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Panel on Acupuncture reviewed the scientific literature and concluded that acupuncture for addiction "may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management programโ€. Overall, acupuncture has been shown to increase substance abuse treatment adherence, reduce recidivism, and stabilize mood.



Decreasing withdrawal or craving symptoms is an integral part of the recovery process. Substance detoxification of the addicted individual is paramount for the holistic healing process to occur. Some of the most difficult substances to overcome include opiates and amphetamines. One such holistic treatment that has worked wonders with withdrawal and craving symptoms is ibogaine treatment. Ibogaine is taken from the shrub, Tabernanthe iboga, and native to West Africa10,13. Indigenous people use ibogaine in low doses to fight fatigue, hunger, and thirst; it is taken in higher doses as a sacrament in religious rituals10. Ibogaine has been shown especially effective for opiate detoxification and for short-term stabilization of addicted individuals preparing to enter substance abuse treatment8. Its healing effects have been shown to significantly decrease craving for both heroin and cocaine along with a decrease in depressive symptoms9,10.



Ibogaine appears to be a hopeful detox drug for the future. The results seem extremely promising for long-term recovery and relapse prevention. Research has been performed on ibogaine's efficacy in treating alcohol addiction, and researchers found that there was some proof that ibogaine suppresses alcohol intake in animal models9,12. Ibogaine treatment is not accepted by the FDA and therefore must be obtained in clinics outside the United States. Ibogaine leaves the individual feeling clear-headed with increased motivation and significant insight into the causes of their addiction. For most, ibogaine does not serve as the proverbial โ€œmagic bullet,โ€ however this treatment is definitely above current detoxification methods, where individuals leave shrouded in their addiction while remaining hopeless of a future free from the clutches of drugs.



There are a variety of other holistic substance abuse detox treatments that aid those previously mentioned in overcoming cravings and ridding the system of toxins. These should be used in conjunction with other therapies. Proper diet and nutrition consisting of vitamin C, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and sulfur proteins can have a very positive effect. Vitamin C is a very potent anti-oxidant and will help cleanse and destroy free radicals in the tissues. It also aids in intestinal motility, which is an important component of getting clean and sober. Amino acids, especially glutamine will stimulate the body's natural opiates and endorphins to help alleviate some cravings. Essential fatty acids such as flax oil in combination with foods containing sulfur proteins (cysteine or methionine) such as yogurt, eggs, codfish, sesame paste, garlic, and onions will allow fat soluble toxins to become water soluble for excretion through sweat and urine6. In order to facilitate and expedite excretion of toxic substances, perspiration must be enhanced. This should be done through rigorous exercise and steam therapy, such as a Turkish wet steam. Following heavy perspiration, the individual should clean themselves with a high-fat soap to remove toxins excreted on the surface of the skin and prevent their readsorption6.




Utilizing a variety of techniques that recognize the numerous needs and requirements of an individual undergoing substance abuse detoxification and treatment will have much more positive effects concerning treatment outcome. Addiction is a disease that weaves its web throughout every facet of an individual's life, therefore, when treating this insidious disease all angles must be approached from a fresh perspective to gain insight into more efficacious treatment opportunities.



More information can be found at http://www.drugrehabcenter.com, http://www.drug-alcohol-rehab.net and http://www.helpaddicts.com or by calling 800-559-9503 24/7 for a free consultation.



Works Cited:



1.
Bullock ML, Kiresuk TJ, Sherman RE, Lenz SK, Culliton PD, Boucher TA, Nolan CJ. (2002). A large randomized placebo controlled study of auricular acupuncture for alcohol dependence. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, vol. 22(2): 71-7.



2.
Carlsson CP. (2001). Acupuncture therapy today. Background, clinical use, mechanisms. Lakartidningen, vol. 98(46): 5178-82, 5185-6.



3.
Fidler S. (n.d.) The successful use of auricular acupuncture in the supported withdrawal and detoxification of substance abusers. Retrieved 4/2/04 from: www.acupuncture.com/Research/addictres.htm



4.
Gallagher SM, Allen JJ, Hitt SK, Schnyer RN, Manber R. (2001). Six-month depression relapse rates among women treated with acupuncture. Complement Ther Med., vol. 9(4): 216-8.



5.
Han C, Li XW, Luo HC. (2002). Comparative study of electro-acupuncture and maprotiline in treating depression. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi, vol. 22(7): 512-4, 521.



6.
Hoffmann DL, Kane E. (n.d.). Addiction. American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.



7.
Karst M, Passie T, Friedrich S, Wiese B, Schneider U. (2002). Acupuncture in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms: a randomized, placebo-controlled inpatient study. Addiction Biology, vol. 7(4): 415-9.



8.
Leal MB, Michelin K, Souza DO, Elisabetsky E. (2003). Ibogaine attenuation of morphine withdrawal in mice: role of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, vol. 27(5): 781-5.



9.
Levi MS, Borne RF. (2002). A review of chemical agents in the pharmacotherapy of addiction. Curr Med Chem, vol. 9(20): 1807-18.



10.
Mash DC, Kovera CA, Pablo J, Tyndale RF, Ervin FD, Williams IC, Singleton EG, Mayor M. (2000). Ibogaine: complex pharmacokinetics, concerns for safety, and preliminary efficacy measures. Ann NY Acad Sci, vol. 914: 394-401.



11.
Miller J. (n.d.). An evaluation of an acupuncture program for drug treatment in San Diego county. Retrieved 4/2/04 from: www.acupuncture.com/Research/DrugSD.htm



12.
Rezvani AH, Overstreet DH, Leef YW. (1995). Attenuation of alcohol intake by ibogaine in 3 strains of alcohol preferring rats. Phamacol Biochem Behav, vol. 52: 615-20.



13.
Vastag B. (2002). Addiction treatment strives for legitimacy. JAMA, vol. 288(24): 3096-3101.






Dealing With Opiate Withdrawal

If you are addicted to painkillers or to street drugs such as heroin then you have probably struggled in the past with opiate withdrawal at some point. Every opiate addict knows the pain and discomfort of withdrawal and the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms, and thus they do anything they can to avoid them and thus stay trapped in a cycle of addiction. The only real way to break from this addiction is to somehow make it through the pain and discomfort of withdrawal and learn how to live a new life without drugs. But in order to make it to this goal you have to at least get through detox.

One way to get through this process is to check into a drug rehab. Doing so will probably give you the best odds at staying clean in the long run and beating the addiction. There are several reasons for this, but the bottom line is that an inpatient rehab gives you access to the most resources in terms of fighting your addiction.

For starters, they will put you through a medical detox, and give you medication that will help you make it through withdrawal. If you do not have this advantage and are trying to do it on your own then the temptation to relapse will be very high indeed. Second of all they will connect you with professional therapists and counselors. These people can help you in a lot of different ways, and get you set up for success after you leave rehab as well. Third, you will be connecting with a number of peers, who are going to be supportive of you and help you to stay clean from a social perspective.

And the list goes on. If you want a real advantage in staying clean, then look for it in a drug rehab center.





Learn more about oxycodone withdrawal and also about drug rehab Georgia.




About Heroin Detox

If you or someone you know is addicted to opiates such as heroin or hydrocodone then you are going to have to go through detox in order to change your life and ultimately get off the drugs. The fear of detox and the severity of the withdrawal symptoms can prevent many addicts from getting and staying clean, so it will help to have a plan in place in order to deal with these symptoms.

If your plan is to simply stop taking the pills and go through the withdrawals cold turkey, then that is not a very good plan. People who do this almost inevitably will end up relapsing very soon after trying, and the success rate will be very low. In order to increase your chances of staying clean you need to ask for help.

For most people this will mean going to a drug rehab of some sort where they can detox you in a medical setting. The reason this is an advantage is because they can give you medication at the rehab that will help to control your withdrawal symptoms and prevent you from feeling so miserable. They can do this without getting you addicted to any other medications as they will carefully ween you down if they have to until you are completely drug free.

Many people think if they go to rehab they will end up hooked on medications and so they justify their decision not to go get clean. This is ridiculous and if you go to rehab you will in fact emerge drug free if that is your choice. The decision is up to you, all you have to do is to ask for help and then follow through with your decision.





Learn more about heroin detox and Hydrocodone detox.




Heroin Drug Detox

Recovery is a great thing for those of us fortunate enough to actually find it. Many people go their entire life using one form of drug or another without ever making it into recovery.

This is sad because there are so many places one can go today for help for instance; if you happen to be a heroin addict there is places where you can go to detox from heroin. It does not actually really matter what kind of drug you use if you look there is help available.

There are people who continue to use without ever making it to a heroin drug detox or any other type of addiction treatment for that matter. They are simply going to die from the disease of addiction.

I happen to know a lot about heroin addiction because I used and abused heroin it for many, many years. I have seen people who swore up and down that they would never go to rehab and that they would die first a lot of them did. Some of them did get beat down enough to actually try to stop using heroin by going to heroin detox.

If you wish to stop using it can be done but it will take action on your part no one can make you stop using but yourself. Once you have made the decision to stop using help is available for you to go through yo heroin withdrawal.

They have even come out with something new since I kicked heroin and its call heroin ultra rapid detox. If you choose to stop using in this fassion you will be rendered unconscious with anesthesia and given medication to remove all the opiates from your body.

When you wake up you may not remember a thing how awesome is that but don't get the idea in your head that you can go out and use again because this form of detox is very expensive.





For further information please visit heroin drug detox. Also, For further information please visit heroin withdrawal.




Detox Or Detoxification - Whatever You Call It , You May Benefit

Detox or detoxification includes two things:

1) Withdrawing poisonous substance from the body.

2) Withdrawing one's mind and soul from the darkness of abused substances.

The term Rapid detox was first used ten years ago and was specially related to opiate addictions. But today, it is mostly used to advertise and describe various methods of detox. Rapid detox can be used to describe the methods of alcohol detoxification, drug detox and other substances.
Drug detox

It is a process to withdraw one from drug addiction. Detoxification assists the overcoming of uncomfortable symptoms at the time of drug withdrawal. The ultimate goal of drug detox is to get the body rid of toxins formed due to drug use. It is carried out in various ways depending on where you decide to receive the treatment. Most drug detox clinics provide treatment only for physical withdrawal of drugs and alcohol.

Alcohol detoxification

Alcohol detoxification is the process to withdraw one from alcohol addiction.

There are various aspects of alcohol detoxification:

1) The first aspect of alcohol detoxification is the medical aspect. There should be a medical specialist and a qualified nursing staff in order to help the patient during the procedure. It is an established fact that if a medical practitioner can set the patient's mind calm then the entire procedure goes smoothly.

2) The second aspect of alcohol detoxification is physical. During this process there should be a nutritionist in the medical center to put the patient on a perfect meal plan. If the patient takes balanced diet then the rest of the alcohol detoxification process will go more smoothly.

3) The third and the most important aspect of alcohol detoxification is the emotional aspect. The medical center should have a trained team of psychologists and counselors to help the patient psychologically. The process can be extremely emotional at times. Specialists should be there to assist the patient move forward through emotions.

4) Alcohol detoxification always combines a therapy with medication and that of psychological counseling. These programs are often long lasting; they mostly take two to four months and needs staying at medical institutions. Therapy techniques and personal counseling assist the patients to recover from alcohol completely and more comfortably. The drugs are given to avoid withdrawal symptoms that the patients may experience. Complete recovery from alcoholism is most preferable and the ideal situation.

5) Alcohol detoxification therapies use drugs like Disulfiram, which cause a severe and immediate hangover after consuming alcohol. Drugs like Naltrexone, helps in complete and comfortable recovery.

6) Nutritional therapy has also proved helpful in alcohol detoxification. During this stage, some patients feel 'insulin resistance syndrome' which results in the failure of processing sugar in body. "Insulin resistance syndrome" causes behavioral upsets and mood swings. These mood swings and behavioral upsets can be controlled with specific dietary regimen. Due to these types of psychological problems one should include a dietary regimen during alcohol detoxification.

7) There are some specific programs that help heavy drinkers who are not yet alcoholics but on the same way yet to become alcoholics. Moderation management also helps such people.