Rapid Detox FAQs

How long prior to rapid detox should a patient be admitted to the hospital?

At least 24 hours before the rapid detoxification procedure commences, we properly screen and hospitalize the patients, to maximize success and ensure their safety.

Pre-treatment screening and tests include EKG, a chest x-ray, blood levels, kidney and liver function tests, heart rate assessment, lung treatment, and stabilization of vitals.

Rapid detox is a pharmacological procedure. We must admit the patient 24-48 hours prior to the procedure so the doctor can become familiar with each individual patient's reaction to and absorption of medication.

Some patients may require several days of inpatient screening and pre-medication before the procedure. The patient’s medical and dependency history will determine the length of the stay.

Procedures, like Rapid Detox, that require anesthesia and intubation should only be performed in an intensive care unit of an acute hospital, never in a clinic. Accredited hospitals take every possible precaution to ensure patient safety and access to urgent medical resources if needed.

Attending physicians should prescribe Naltrexone based on many factors, such as the patient’s liver function and opiate dependency history.

Opiates can mask numerous psychological or psychiatric symptoms that usually surface after the procedure and require alternative methods of after-care. We plan for after-care when the patient is no longer under the influence of opiates.

Then, we fit after-care to each individual's needs and lifestyle. Patients better adhere to options that will be both beneficial and comfortable for them. In some cases, allowing the patient to maintain a productive lifestyle without any interruptions greatly benefits their outcome. This gives the patient an opportunity to go through detoxification without any additional interference in his or her life. Other cases require more sustained support.

We adapt our After-Care Program to reflect actual, individual needs. After completing rapid detox, the patient will return to their specific living environment, whether loving and supportive or stressful and destructive. After-care prepares them for their situation, instead of forcing patients to adapt to a whole new style of living.