800-671-4304Rapid Detox vs. Conventional Detox
Detox is often the first stage of a comprehensive addiction recovery program. Once the toxins are removed from their body, the client can begin the long process of understanding and overcoming their condition. In recent years, there have been advances in the detox process. There are now alternatives to conventional detox, including rapid detox.
What makes these two methods different? To understand this, it is necessary to know what conventional and rapid detox are, including their benefits and drawbacks.
Contact us now to find conventional and rapid detox centers in your area!
SponsoredConventional Detox
Conventional detox programs involve removing toxins of drug or alcohol abuse from a person’s body. This is typically accomplished in an inpatient facility. Once the client completes detox, they’ll continue their recovery through outpatient treatment and monitoring. They may be prescribed medications like methadone and buprenorphine to manage withdrawal effects. Some of the benefits of conventional detox include:
- A proven track record of success
- A dramatic lessening of withdrawal symptoms through behavioral and medical management
- Decreased rates of relapse among participants who complete it, as part of a long-term treatment program.
All of these benefits make conventional detox useful, but it does have some drawbacks. Some of these are:
- Long treatment times (sometimes many months)
- An intimidation factor because of these treatment times
- The possibility of addiction to maintenance medications
Remember that people experience things differently, and no one treatment program is the same for everyone.
How Rapid Detox is Different
Rapid detox operates on the same basic principle as conventional detox, but speeds the process up from weeks or months to mere days. It involves placing the client under anesthesia, using a combination of medications, including clonidine and naltrexone, to remove opiates from the opioid receptors in their brain, and flushing them out of their system. The benefits of rapid detox are:
- Greatly reduced detox time
- Little to no withdrawal symptoms because of the anesthesia
- Quicker transition to other stages of treatment
All of these benefits make rapid detox very attractive, but some drawbacks need to be known, as well. These include:
- Limited research into the side effects of this process
- Mixed results in the lessening of withdrawal symptoms
There is no indication that rapid detox is any more or less effective than traditional detox. Like conventional detox, it is not a standalone addiction treatment solution. It should always be offered as part of a more intensive and longer-term treatment protocol.
Find the Right Detox Program
If you’re ready to detox from drugs or alcohol and begin the next phase of your recovery, it’s best to consult with your physician to determine the best course of action. Most important, however, is to get the help you need to begin your recovery. For more information about rapid detox or conventional detox call 800-996-6135 .