The process of detoxification of cocaine and opiate are very necessary for the eventual recovery from addiction
When one is suffering from drug addiction, the first thing that the individual needs to do is to accept that he or she has a problem that needs to be fixed. This is always one step that often looks very easy but on paper but always very difficult in practice. However when we succeed in this then the next step would be to detoxify. This is what we want to concentrate on in this article so that we can begin to appreciate the positive solutions accruing from the process of detoxification of cocaine and opiate. We will be relying heavily on the expertise of the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center to shed more light about this first step of drug addiction treatment.
First of all medical detoxification is a process that systematically and safely withdraws people from addicting drugs this process is usually done under the care of a qualified physician. The consequences of drinking alcohol or using drugs is that when abused over a period of time, they can cause physical dependence and stopping them can result in withdrawal symptoms in people with this dependence. Therefore detoxification process is designed primarily to treat the immediate bodily effects of stopping drug use and to remove toxins left in the body as a result of the chemicals found in drugs or alcohol.
While at the present time, no proven pharmacologic therapy for cocaine addiction exists, several kinds of medications have been used in the detoxification of cocaine. Withdrawal from chronic cocaine use produces anxiety, depression and intense cravings for the drug. Several types of medications address these issues in different ways.
- Antidepressant drugs such as desipramine or a combination of phentermine and fenfluramine have been used to reduce cocaine withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
- Benzodiazepines, tranquilizers such as Diazepam, have been used to reverse anxiety induced by cocaine withdrawal.
- Amantadine, a drug used to treat Parkinson’s Disease, may be an effective treatment for cocaine-dependent patients with severe cocaine withdrawal symptoms and may reduce cocaine craving.
- Bromocriptine, a drug that works on the brain’s dopamine system, has been used to decrease the craving for cocaine during detoxification and to reduce mood disturbance.
- Propanolol, a beta-blocker drug used to treat high blood pressure, may be useful for severe cocaine withdrawal symptoms, as it slows down the effects of adrenaline, thereby calming the body’s “fight or flight” response to stressful situations.
This type of drug has been used to treat general anxiety and anxiety associated with alcohol withdrawal. Propranolol’s lessening of symptoms such as palpitations and sweating has helped reduce cocaine craving. Its use, however, is not risk free in patients who have taken cocaine and can be associated with decreased blood flow to the heart and other changes that predispose patients to arrhythmia and a severe increase in blood pressure that can lead to a stroke. Delayed toxic effects are possible. Any use of beta-blockers in this setting requires careful monitoring and caution.
Medical Detoxification: In order to withdraw from certain addictive substances safely, it may be preferable and in some cases necessary to undergo medically supervised detoxification in a hospital or residential treatment center that has a detoxification unit. This would be advisable for patients that have been using an addictive substance heavily for a longer period of time and are more likely to have more severe withdrawal symptoms, or those with other significant health problems. Inpatient detoxification allows the patient to be closely monitored throughout the process and given appropriate medication to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. It commonly involves the gradual administration of decreasing doses (tapering) of an agent that is related to the original drug of abuse that is now substituted to prevent withdrawal.
Rapid Detoxification: In this procedure drug withdrawal occurs while patients are asleep under general anesthesia. The patient is given intravenous injections of medications called opiate blockers which stop the action of narcotics and opiate drugs as well as injections of other medications that reduce the symptoms of withdrawal such as muscle relaxants or anti-nausea medications. This process results in rapid withdrawal from the physical effects of addiction. Through the use of opiate blockers such as naltrexone, naloxone, and nalmephine, physical detoxification is achieved within 4 to 8 hours. Rapid detox takes place in an intensive care unit of a hospital. Patients are usually discharged within 48 hours following recovery from anesthesia and assessment of their physical status.
Rapid detoxification helps reduce the distress of opiate withdrawal for people who are chemically dependent on narcotics such as heroin, Vicodin, Percocet, Demerol, Dilaudid, Darvocet, OxyContin, opium, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, prescription painkillers, and all narcotic type drugs. It shortens the detoxification period and spares patients the pain and physical discomforts of withdrawal. It may be of great benefit to patients who suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms and who have failed repeatedly to complete conventional withdrawal programs. However, there are significant costs as well as risks associated with the use of general anesthesia. It is imperative that the procedure be performed by medical professionals who are highly trained in these procedures in a medical setting that is fully equipped to deal with any complications that may arise.
Ultra Rapid Detoxification: This procedure involves putting patients under general anesthesia and giving them a drug called Naltrexone which blocks all of their endorphin receptors. This accelerates the withdrawal process, pushing them into 100% detoxification within a 5-30 minute period. Although this is an extremely painful process it is tolerable under anesthesia. As with rapid detoxification, it is very costly and has significant medical risk.
Outpatient Detoxification: Outpatient medical detoxification is usually safe and effective for people who are more likely to have mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. For instance, opiate detoxification in the outpatient primary care setting can be accomplished with a variety of medications such as buprenorphine-naloxone (BUP/NX) or clonidine alone or combined with naltrexone. Buprenex, approved by the FDA, can be given on an outpatient basis by physicians who receive required eight-hour training. Using Buprenex, the detoxification can take between 7-14 days.
Methadone: The most common method of opiate detoxification is to use Methadone in an approved clinic and slowly taper the patient down from the usual dose to zero over a period of approximately 21 days. This process still entails an uncomfortable withdrawal period and patients often use drugs during the withdrawal period. Now that you know what detoxification can do to those who are struggling with drug addiction, and being the first step of treatment, you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury for the process of detoxification of cocaine and opiate to begin in good time. Doing this is the best thing you can either do to yourself or to your loved ones because the result is comfort and productive life full of enjoyment and fulfillment.
