Pros and Cons of Rapid Detox Programs

Rapid detox programs, though rather controversial, have both benefits and negative aspects associated with the help that is provided by them. Patients who are addicted to heroin or certain types of prescription painkillers such as Oxycontin or Oxycodone can benefit from rapid detox programs but only if they are aware of the importance of seeking professional counseling following the detoxification process. Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of rapid detox programs:

Pros

The benefits to rapid opiate detox generally relate to the inability of the patient to feel the withdrawal symptoms because he or she has been placed into deep sedation under general anesthesia. This method of treatment is provided in a hospital setting so the risks are generally not severe unless there is a complication with the anesthesia. Some of the advantages of rapid opiate detox include:

• Patient does not have to feel physical withdrawal symptoms.
• Withdrawal time is cut in half.
• Medical monitoring is provided around-the-clock.
• Patient can immediately transition to counseling and therapy to begin receiving help for psychological elements of the opiate addiction.

Cons

You should take some time to weigh the pros and cons of rapid detoxification programs.

According to the Center for Antisocial Drug Dependence, the long-term consequences associated with opiate addiction that goes untreated are often severe in nature and may lead to death. Unfortunately, rapid opiate detox programs do little to reduce these risks because they do not provide full treatment for the disease at hand. Patients who undergo rapid detox are inclined to believe that they don’t need any further treatment and this can lead to increased chances of relapse, heightened withdrawal in the future and other serious problems.

The most common cons or negative aspects of rapid opiate detox relate to the lack of counseling and therapy that is received, the risks associated with general anesthesia and the lack of suffering that comes when a user does not have to experience the consequences of using which come in the form of withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bone and joint pain and general discomfort.

• There are risks associated with anesthesia.
• Not going through withdrawal makes the process seem “easy” and may not help a user to stay committed to sobriety the way that feeling the pain of withdrawal would.
• Many think that they are healed after they no longer feel physical effects but there are still underlying psychological effects that need treatment.