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Are Rapid Detox Centers Safe? What are the Risks and Benefits?

What are Rapid Detox Centers?

Rapid Detox Centers are medical facilities that offer a quick and efficient way to get through opioid withdrawal. The Waismann Method® has been the most highly respected rapid opioid detox provider for nearly two decades. Furthermore, our reputation for excellent medical care and superior results have made us a leader in the field of opioid addiction.

The Waismann Method® team provides patients with the most medically advanced, private, and effective anesthesia-assisted detoxification available. Patients travel to us from all over the world to receive our treatment.

Ultra Rapid Detox is a term first documented by Dr. Loimer in the late ’80s to describe opioid detoxification under anesthesia. Since then, there have been many different rapid detox centers with various treatment protocols. These versions include anesthesia assisted, rapid detox, Waismann Method, accelerated detox, rapid opiate detox, or rapid drug detox. The detoxification treatment works rapidly, inducing opiate detoxification while the patients sleep under anesthesia. The antagonist used in the detox also blocks the receptor sites, consequently reducing physical cravings. It is important to remember that regardless of the reason an opioid addiction started, the first step to recovery is successful detoxification.

More importantly, rapid detox can only be a safe and effective opioid treatment option when necessary safety procedures are followed. Sadly enough, that is not always the case. Some rapid detox centers choose to minimize medical care to cut costs. The results of these poor decisions often jeopardize patients’ comfort and sometimes even their well being.

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Safety Requirements for Rapid Detox Centers

Rapid Detox Centers should follow a stringent set of medical protocols to ensure treatment effectiveness and safety. Each of the following criteria is necessary to maintain adequate care during anesthesia-assisted rapid detox.

  • An accredited hospital. A hospital has additional medical resources and specialists that might be immediately needed. Additionally, in a hospital, the rapid detox process can be modified to serve the patients better, and an extended inpatient stay is an option.
  • Hospital Admission the day before the rapid detox procedure. Doctors need proper evaluation time to evaluate medical conditions and individual history. Also, the prior knowledge of patients’ physiological responses to certain medications allows the doctor to know what and how much to use during detoxification.
  • Anesthesia detox in a private room of an ICU unit is a must. Additionally, each patient should be treated individually, rather than side-by-side with strangers. The attending physician should have his focus on a single patient without unnecessary distractions. Furthermore, an ICU provides patients with close monitoring, support from specialists, and access to resources and equipment that is not routinely available elsewhere.
  • Board Certified Anesthesiologist. Knowing how to regulate sedation during detoxification is crucial in managing the absorption of the opioid antagonist. The antagonist is the active drug that makes this opioid treatment comfortable and effective.
  • Inpatient recovery support. After Rapid detox, patients go through a challenging regulation phase. This period can be challenging if not professionally supported. The Waismann Method Rapid Detox Center provides this necessary care at the Domus Retreat, where patients receive individualized assistance while adjusting physically and emotionally.

Rapid Detox Risks and Benefits

What are some of the Risks?

Rapid Detox Centers are only risky when they are not within a full service accredited hospital. One of the main concerns about performing rapid drug detox in ambulatory surgery centers is whether they are appropriately equipped to handle unexpected problems during detoxification.

This is a particular concern for adults older than 40, patients with multiple health issues, or multi substance users. The increased risk can be significantly minimized, with access to different specialists for adequate evaluation pre-detox and available immediate emergency medical resources. Furthermore, there are no time restraints in a hospital so that patients can stay more days, and other options of detox can be offered to patients that are not candidates for ultra-rapid detoxification.

Although there are always risks with any medical procedure, ensuring the proper screening and performing rapid drug detox in a  hospital can significantly minimize complications.

Some of the risks include:

  • Chipped teeth
  • A sore throat
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Pneumonia
  • Same risks associated with sedation and anesthesia, in general. The risk of a serious complication is a small fraction of 1%.

Nearly all medical professionals agree that all accelerated rapid detox centers should also provide mental health assistance to patients. A short-term recovery center will provide a safe, nurturing environment, which is crucial for this recovery period. More importantly, rapid detox should never be seen as a cure-all treatment but as an effective form of opioid detoxification treatment.

What are the Benefits of Detoxification under Anesthesia?

The Pro’s and benefits of Rapid Detoxification are too many to describe. Some of the most prominent are:

  • Patients are opiate free in just a few hours and can return to productive lives in only a few days.
  • Opioid Detox by medical professionals in a full-service hospital.
  • Withdrawal symptoms are much faster and far more comfortable than other methods of detoxification. Also, there are fewer and shorter symptoms.
  • Safety – side effects and complications are relatively rare.
  • Rapid Detox practitioners report relatively favorable rates of opiate abstinence after one year.
  • Cost-effective in the long term. It costs less overall than other methods for long-term and continuous opiate treatment.
  • People seek help sooner as there is little or no fear of withdrawal.
  • Rapid opiate detox helps eliminate the physical cravings, which minimizes the chance of relapse.
  • Ability to begin recovery sooner.
  • Rapid detox centers are usually private and confidential.

A Rapid Detox Center is a safe place to treat a person that is struggling with opiate addiction.

"Waismann Method was like no other program out there. If you're trying to stop opiod addiction and you need to get back to life as soon as possible this is the way to go. I'm not going to sugar coat it and say it's easy, but it is definitely easier than going through withdrawals or posibly an overdose. If you're serious about being done with your addiction waismann method is truly the best. From the start they treat you with the outmost respect and professionalism. I recommend this place 100%"
- Former Patient
"I have a very loud voice & I am going to shout to the people who are dealing with this beast but just can’t get through the withdrawal nor the beast of burden called TREATMENT CENTERS, let your ears hear me !!!"
- Former Patient
"This place gave me my life back!! Methadone takes over 30 days to get out of your system and they got it out in one day!! The people there are literally miracle workers!! Go Here and keep up with your vividtrol and you can be free and clean!! I would give this place 10 stars if I could "
- Former Patient
"A dear friend underwent rapid detox at the Waismann Method and all we can say is “THANK YOU”. My friend had (for years) been in a seemingly endless cycle of rehab and relapse. Even at some of the top rehabs, he still seemed to find his way back to opiates. I’m so grateful to say that it’s been almost a full year since his treatment at the Waismann Method and he is better than ever! He is finally himself again. Thank you to the caring, knowledgeable, warm and patient staff that supported and assisted my friend from start to finish! It was a blessing that we heard about the Waismann Method - our only wish is that we tried it sooner!"
- Friend of Former Patient
"I have heard first hand from people who have gone through the Waismann rapid detox and they said it changed their life. They no longer felt like drug addicts and were treated like patients. Thank you Dr. Lowenstein and staff for all you do!"
- Former Patient
"I'm so grateful that I came across the Waismann Institute. It saved a family members life and I will forever be thankful to all the hard work and dedication of the entire staff there! Well worth EVERY penny! The therapist at the Waismann Method was amazing. The breakthroughs that were made were tremendous. The staff encourages you along the way and were incredibly patient with our family and all the questions we had. They really care about the individual seeking treatment because they were always there - every step of the way! Not only is my family member sober, but he is happier than I have ever seen him in years. In all honesty, he is living the life he has always deserved. Thank you Waismann for giving him back a life worth living!"
- Family of Former Patient
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Comparing Rapid Detox Centers

Comparing Rapid Detox Centers can be confusing, frustrating, and challenging. To identify one that is the best for you, analyze them by using some of the following guidelines:

  • Compare medical services: facility accreditation, quality, and quantity of medical resources available.
  • Confirm that the treating can handle unexpected medical emergencies internally.”We don’t plan to have an emergency, but we want to know we have what we need for one.”
  • Verify the knowledge, known credentials, and rapid detox experience of the treating anesthesiologist.
  • Make sure that the medical detox is specific to your physical needs.
  • Expect to receive emotional and physical care for a few days after rapid detox.
  • Amount of time and care that is inclusive of the total cost of the procedure.
  • Research the years in business and the reputation of the rapid detox center.

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