Rapid Detox Vs. Ultra Rapid Detox
There is a great deal of confusion on the internet with respect to the terms Rapid Detox and
Ultra Rapid Detox. Ultra Rapid Detox generally construes a detoxification process
which is done under general anesthesia, which lasts somewhere between 4 and 24 hours, while Rapid Detox,
in general, can be used to denote anything from Ultra Rapid Detox to a detox process that lasts 10 days
or more. Unfortunately, many clinics and websites now use these terms interchangeably. This can be confusing
to individuals seeking information and treatment.
In general, Ultra Rapid Detox is a process of accelerating
the detoxification process in patients who are addicted to drugs such as opiates, heroin, and
even prescription pain relievers. The Ultra Rapid Detox process should be conducted
in a hospital setting while the patient is under general anesthesia.
The process needs to be overseen by certified anesthesiologists
and a nursing staff that specialize in such procedures. While under anesthesia,
the patient is administered medications that counteract the addictive substances.
If the procedure is done correctly, the patient awakens from general anesthesia having gone partially through the drug
withdrawal syndrome. Depending on how long the individual is under general anesthesia, withdrawal symptoms and physical cravings may be absent or partially absent upon awakening. However, the psychological and emotional aspects of addiction are not treated and, also, the patient hasn't learned to chang their behavior or response to their emotions regarding drugs. Because of this there is a significant risk that the patient will return to drug use shortly after ultra rapid detox.
Rapid Detox is a term that can mean Ultra Rapid Detox, or it can refer to a
slower process of detoxification where the patient experiences more of the managable withdrawal symptoms while getting assistance
breaking free from the psychological aspects of their addiction. This is a safer and more enduring means of breaking
addiction to opiates and other addictive substances.
Some of the narcotic opiate-based substances that can be treated through the Rapid Detoxification process include:
 Codeine
Darvocet
Dilaudid
Fentanyl
Heroin
Lortab
Norco
Methadone
Morphine
Oxycontin ®
Percocet
Vicodin
Myths About Ultra Rapid Detox
With Ultra Rapid Detox I'll wake up completely free from my addiction
Depending on the length of general anesthesia, you may or may not wake up clean and free from the physical cravings of your addiction.
In either case, you will still be completely addicted psychologically to the drug that you are addicted to.
I won't feel any withdrawal symptoms with Ultra Rapid Detox
If you are under general anesthesia long enough, this might be true. However, there is a marked risk of death when one is placed under prolonged general anesthesia (e.g., 24 hours). Therefore, more recently "ultra rapid detox" treatments are done where the patient is under for no more than 4 to 6 hours. With shortened general anesthesia there's a higher likelihood of having residual withdrawal sypmtoms upon awakening.
Ultra Rapid Detox is safe
Ultra Rapid Detox has higher risks than other other detox methods and remains controversial within the medical community. There is a relative lack of scientific research to support the safety of this procedure. General anesthesia carries with it a risk of death and this risk is increased when anesthesia is prolonged. Some facilities will keep a patient under (i.e., anesthetized) for up to 24 hours. Safety increases when time under general anesthesia is lessened, for example, down to 4 to 6 hours. However, a shorter course of general anesthesia may result in the individual experiencing more withdrawal symptoms upon awakening than otherwise.
Ultra Rapid Detox works!
Despite the wide publicity of Ultra Rapid Detox, there have not been any controlled studies to prove it's effectiveness. This lack of scientific support makes it an unproven and controversial treatment for drug and opioid addiction. Ultra Rapid Detox does not treat the psychological, behavioral, and lifestyle aspects of addiction, only the physical addiction and, as time and practice prove, it is these latter aspects which hold the most control over the recovering addict.
Are there Alternatives to Ultra Rapid Detox?
Yes! Rapid Detox, or Detox that lasts as short as 3 to 10 days, is highly effective, and treats the patient's physiological addiction. It is still rapid in that it only requires days. Please note that managed care does not endorse ultra rapid detox because of it's considered an experimental treatment. Managed care generally authorizes 3 to 10 days of detox treatment.
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