Drug addiction is a global issue that directly affects people, their families, and communities. One of the most serious health issues currently affecting Americans is opioid addiction.
Opioid use disorder is a condition like many other medical illnesses, meaning it requires medical intervention. Opioid detoxification using safe and effective methods provided by trained clinicians can lead to a successful recovery. Complete detoxification and counseling are often the most effective options to treat opioid addiction.
What is Opioid Addiction?
Opioid addiction is a condition that affects brain function in which a person regularly finds and uses drugs such as fentanyl, heroin, and prescription pain killers, despite the negative consequences. It is a brain disorder because addiction can alter how the brain operates. Aside from all the harmful effects on a person’s health, addiction impairs how someone thinks and feels. This impairment may lead to other dangerous actions and can damage ties with loved ones. Without effective detox and emotional treatment, addiction may have critical or fatal consequences.
Addiction Treatment
Seeking professional help is the primary step to a complete and successful recovery. The next step is finding a treatment center with experienced and qualified clinicians that can tailor the opioid addiction treatment protocol to fit each patient’s unique needs. It is critical for a successful treatment outcome that the clinician understands the patient’s health history.
Intake
Usually, an intake assessment occurs before treatment is scheduled. That way, patients and treatment center personnel can review specific factors to decide if this is the right treatment program. Questions are asked to understand the patient’s current situation, health history, and expectations. The more information that all parties have, the better-educated decision they can make.
Common intake questions include:
- How long have you been using drugs?
- What type of drugs?
- What other medications are you currently taking?
- Are there particular circumstances or needs?
- Family health history.
- Are there other mental or chronic problems?
Waismann Method® Opioid Treatment Specialists
When patients are admitted to a hospital to undergo a rapid detox or a medically assisted opioid detox like the one Waismann Method provides, they undergo a comprehensive physical examination on the first day. Opioid users do not have the same physiological responses as other patients, so it is imperative to rule out any unknown health conditions that could jeopardize their safety during medical opiate detoxification.
This thorough evaluation will include tests to find both health problems and drugs present in the patient’s system because different drugs can cause different reactions. Every patient’s circumstance is different, so determining the best treatment option is a shared decision between the patient and the physician. It’s essential to choose a treatment program that is willing to discuss and provide the patient several treatment settings and options to determine the most appropriate plan. Patient participation in treatment decisions and recovery plans is shown to improve outcomes significantly.
Rapid Detox and Medically Assisted Opioid Detoxification
There are three main choices for opioid detoxification: Rapid detox under sedation, in-hospital medical detox, and medically assisted withdrawal management at a licensed treatment center, like Domus Retreat. Treatment can occur in several different places or settings depending on the medication used, the patient’s health, and other determining factors.
Sedation Assisted Opioid Detoxification (Rapid Detox)
Typically, rapid detox involves a licensed anesthesiologist administering an opioid antagonist while the patient is under sedation in a hospital. In theory, the procedure precipitates a withdrawal while accelerating the detox timeline while patients are asleep.
The big selling point of rapid detox is that it is a quick, effective, and much more comfortable way to come off opioid drugs, especially for people trying to detox from long-acting medications, such as suboxone and methadone.
The problem?
Many people who undergo rapid detox do not understand what the procedure does and how and where it should be performed. In fact, medical professionals have been known to mislead their patients, implying that they could reverse years of addiction in a couple of days.
As a result, patients are discharged too early. They feel emotionally and physically vulnerable, which leads to an intense urge to use, and relapse occurs. The implication of promising overnight cures is highly irresponsible and even cruel.
The benefits.
There are good and bad professionals in any field. There are also responsible, honest physicians and negligent ones. Detoxification under sedation is an excellent option for those who cannot get through an arduous opioid withdrawal. Still, it is NOT an overnight miracle, and it should not be described as one. As with any medical procedure, rapid detox needs to be performed with sufficient inpatient time for evaluation, treatment, and recovery care.
Waismann Method Rapid Detox
Most Waismann Method® rapid detox patients receive a private room in an accredited hospital for three days, followed by four to seven days at Domus Retreat for recovery care. At Domus, we assist each patient with the emotional and physical transition, which substantially maximizes the safety and effectiveness of the detoxification.
Professional inpatient care for a few days after rapid detox is essential to help individuals successfully navigate the adjustment and recovery phase. Long-term opioid intake raises hormonal activity, which plays a primary role in stress. After detox, people are more vulnerable to anxiety-related issues, leading to cravings and eventually relapse. At Domus, patients are provided with several therapeutic services and supportive medications, making rapid detox a much more pleasant, but more importantly, safe procedure.
All opioid-dependent patients who have withdrawn from opioids, especially in such a rapid manner, should be advised that they are at increased risk of overdose due to reduced opioid tolerance. Providing patients a few days of recovery care to regain a bit of their physical and emotional strength dramatically reduces the risk of an overdose.
In-hospital Medically Supervised Detox
Medically supervised opioid detoxification in a hospital involves administering medications to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms when a patient discontinues their opioid use. The primary purpose of a supervised withdrawal is to safely and successfully transition the patient to an opioid-free state. In a hospital, the medical team can control any clinical manifestations during detoxification.
During the hospital stay, which usually lasts from 2 to 4 days, the Waismann Method team works diligently to reduce the acute withdrawal symptoms during detox. Patients receive 24-hour monitoring in their private room while the medical staff accesses physical health conditions. The goal is to achieve complete detoxification with minimum discomfort to start non-addictive medications (Naltrexone and Vivitrol) for craving management therapy.
Withdrawal Management at Domus Retreat Treatment Program
The treatment process at Domus Retreat begins with a medical assessment, including medical history, psychological reviews, and other applicable diagnostic tools. The evaluation results determine the safest and most effective treatment plan to follow.
Professional staff continuously evaluate clients and prescribe supportive medications, as clinically indicated, so that patients remain comfortable.
If more specialized medical care is necessary, the patient may be admitted to a private hospital for more extensive care.
The medical director receives reports on symptoms, medications, and progress. Domus’s clinical team consults with the medical staff to ensure patients receive the care they need for emotional and physical disorders. This individualized approach to treating opioid use disorder is designed to start the healing process of the mind, body, and spirit.
Regardless of which detoxification is right for you, a patient should always expect to be treated with respect and dignity. Patients should also feel heard and cared for. When treating someone for opioid addiction, detoxification combined with counseling and other emotional support is highly recommended.
