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Rapid Detox
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Rapid
detox has become a hot topic in the last two years
but rapid detox only refers to treatment for opiates,
not alcohol or other drugs. Rapid detox may not
even be the answer for treatment of opiate addiction.
To understand the pros and cons of rapid detox,
an examination of drug dependence and addiction
must come first. Rapid detox does help heroin and
prescription opiate abusers get past the physical
withdrawal symptoms faster than they might otherwise
but does not address many of the underlying issues
of addiction. Nor does rapid detox completely remove
the symptoms of withdrawal from opiates such as
continued insomnia, diarrhea and psychological dependents.
Some studies following rapid detox patients found
that as many as 80% relapsed on opiates within six
months of rapid detox treatment.
Spencer
Recovery Centers does not offer rapid detox for
this very reason; it is not a proven method for
sustained abstinence from opiates or any other drugs.
Many rapid detox patients believe that now that
their body is no longer dependent on opiates, that
they can continue a normal life drinking beer or
smoking pot or popping pills as long as they are
not opiates. This is the deception of rapid detox.
Addicts and alcoholics would love to find an easy
solution that would allow them to continue to use
mind-altering substances. The nature of addiction
makes this impossible.
Addiction
means that physical as well as psychological dependence
has been well established in the substance abuser.
Whether it is heroin, alcohol, cocaine, prescription
painkillers or huffing fumes from a whip cream container,
addicts turn to substances for pleasure and to escape
reality. Chronic use of any substance creates real
chemical changes in the brain that causes the body
to rely on the continuous use of the chemical and
results in uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when
removed. Withdrawal symptoms are usually the opposite
extreme of whatever effect the substance was creating.
Withdrawal from a sedative like opiates includes
anxiety, restlessness, sleeplessness and intestinal
problems. Withdrawal from stimulants such as cocaine
or methamphetamines includes listlessness, lack
of energy and foggy thinking. Withdrawal from alcohol
is similar to depressants but is more threatening
physically with the potential for delirium tremens,
seizures and panic attacks.
Rapid
detox promises to avoid these uncomfortable withdrawal
symptoms by putting the patient under through anesthesia
and introducing chemicals that block opiate receptors
and accelerate the detoxification process over a
period of hours rather than weeks. Many studies
show that the body is unable to recover that quickly
from opiate dependence and that rapid detox fails
to address the core psychological issues that drive
opiate and all forms of addiction.
If
you or a loved one is addicted to opiates, abusing
other substances or might be an alcoholic, we encourage
you to call us today for real answers to these life
threatening situations. Spencer Recovery Centers
has successfully treated thousands of addicts and
alcoholics through proven treatment methods. Give
us a call today to find out how. Our counselors
are standing by ready to take your call so don't
hesitate call right now.
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