Understanding Rapid Detox: What Is the Process and Is It Right for You?

Anxiety, insomnia, muscle aches, cramping, nausea, vomiting. These are just a few of the common yet extremely uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal that come with opioid detox. 

Though challenging, detox is a necessary step in the addiction recovery process. Some have considered rapid detox in an attempt to speed up the detox process and avoid the negative symptoms. But is it safe and effective?

We’ll answer that question and more. In this guide, we’ll look at what rapid detox is, how it works, and potential risks to help you decide if this treatment would be the right choice for you.

Table of Contents

• What Is a Rapid Opiate Detox?
• How Rapid Detox Works
• Is Rapid Detox Safe and Effective?
• 5 Potential Risks of Rapid Opiate Detox
• What Is the Best Alternative to Rapid Detox?
• The Detox Program at Dove Recovery Provides Quality, Evidence-Based Addiction Treatment

Rapid drug detox is an anesthesia-assisted procedure where opioids are quickly eliminated from the body using an opioid antagonist. The procedure is performed in a hospital or clinic and is usually completed in two to four days. The goal of this treatment is to provide a faster detox process with fewer withdrawal symptoms.

Rapid detox began in the 1980s with the use of the drug Naloxone, which was developed in the 1960s and initially used to neutralize opioid overdoses. Rapid detox was developed to reduce both the duration and severity of withdrawal symptoms. 

The process of rapid detox involves the following steps:

1. Using general anesthesia, the patient is sedated.
2. An opiate antagonist — like Naloxone or Naltrexone — is administered, which flushes the opioids and toxins from the body.
3. Post-treatment, medications may be used to treat any lingering withdrawal symptoms.

Though rapid detox quickly eliminates opiates from the body, the verdict is still out on whether it's more effective than other detox methods.

According to one study, several detox methods were used with participants — rapid detox, buprenorphine treatment, and clonidine and non-opioid medications. Results showed that those who received rapid detox did not have a better resistance against relapse, had more incidences of adverse effects, and more discomfort after detox. Retention was also similar in the rapid detox (20%) and buprenorphine groups (24%).

When it comes to the question of safety, most, if not all, professionals would agree that the procedure comes with risks. Concurrently, many of them believe the risks outweigh the benefits, making rapid detox potentially dangerous.

According to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC found the following results of 75 people who went through rapid detox:

• Seven had “serious adverse events” requiring hospital care.
• Two died from complications. 

Additionally, no peer-reviewed studies have been performed that point to the safety of rapid opioid detox methods. This review included a warning against rapid detox treatment based on other studies that pointed to a risk of adverse occurrences and the possibility of life-threatening effects.

In addition to the issues of safety and effectiveness, those considering rapid detox should be aware that rapid detox is not a treatment for co-occurring mental health issues. Some studies show that rapid detox can make mental health symptoms worse.

As with any other detox method, it’s important to understand that rapid detox is not a complete treatment. Yes, detox is often the first step, but more is usually needed for long-term recovery from opioid use disorder.

Addressing underlying issues and behaviors is paramount in addiction recovery. An evidenced-based addiction rehab program like the one at Dove Recovery does this by providing the following:

• Detox and withdrawal management
• Intensive outpatient program
• Partial hospitalization program
• Outpatient program
• Counseling
• Therapy

For drug rehab in Columbus, Ohio, contact Dove Recovery today to start your journey to recovery.

When deciding on any type of therapy, patients always need to weigh the risks and benefits. Let’s take a look at some common risks of rapid opiate detox to help determine how high the potential risks are.

#1: Serious Health Dangers

The health risks involved with rapid detox include:

• Cardiac arrest 
• Pneumonia, particularly aspiration pneumonia
• Pulmonary edema
• Suffocation 
• Cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart)
• Diarrhea, nausea, weakness, and blurred vision due to electrolyte abnormalities
• Seizures
• Infections
• Pregnancy complications
• Renal failure
• Coma
• Death

#2: Withdrawal Symptoms

Even though rapid detox may reduce withdrawal symptoms, they cannot be avoided altogether. Withdrawal symptoms can continue for days after the rapid detox procedure. As with other forms of detox, withdrawal symptoms may be so uncomfortable that the patient may be driven to use drugs again.

#3: Mental Health Complications

Mental health complications that may occur with rapid opioid detox include:

• Delirium
• Psychosis
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Suicidal ideation

Additionally, rapid detox may cause aggravation of co-occurring mental health disorders. In a JAMA report of a rapid detox study, a patient with a history of bipolar disorder “developed a mixed bipolar state about 5 days after anesthesia, with suicidal ideation requiring hospitalization.” 

#4: Undue Stress on the Body

Anesthesia always comes with risks. Add to that the accelerated process of rapid detox because of an opiate antagonist and anesthesia combination, and you have a scenario that leads to an overwhelming amount of stress on the body.

Because a substance abuse disorder can cause a number of health conditions, those battling a disorder may not be healthy enough to endure the rigors involved in rapid detox treatment. 

#5: Incomplete Treatment 

As mentioned before, detox is just the first step in recovery. Those fighting an opioid use disorder require other therapies, counseling, and guidance for success and long-term drug rehab.

Rapid detox hasn’t been proven as an effective detox treatment over other traditional methods, according to studies. Additionally, if someone completes rapid detox but doesn’t take any other steps toward recovery, relapse is highly likely.

Rapid detox is not the only option. Other effective methods are available, like those at Dove Recovery that include outpatient, partial hospitalization, and counseling programs. 

According to this journal entry from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the authors review several medical detox methods and claim the following about rapid opioid detox:

^{Although there are few data showing that the rapid or ultrarapid methods of opioid detoxification show a positive correlation with the likelihood of a patient's being abstinent a few months later, efforts persist to make the detoxification process shorter and easier….Golden and Sakhrani (2004) found that 25 percent of the 20 patients they studied who were undergoing rapid detoxification using clonidine and naltrexone developed delirium and had to discontinue the procedure after the first day, and another patient dropped out before completion….Although the ultra-rapid procedure under anesthesia has received wide publicity, controlled studies that would make it possible to evaluate the risk/benefit ratio are absent. The procedure is still unproven and controversial.}

Medical detox in combination with other therapies is a much safer, effective alternative. 

Medical detox takes place under the supervision of healthcare professionals who prescribe medications to help keep patients safe and as comfortable as possible during the detoxification process.

If you’d like help overcoming an opioid abuse disorder and are looking for a safe and effective alternative to rapid detox, Dove Recovery can help. 

We provide medical detox as part of all our individualized services.

We use buprenorphine and naltrexone-containing medications in the detoxification process to control withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.

Dove Recovery’s Detox Program offers personalized withdrawal management, ensuring direct, individualized care with:

• One-on-one nursing support when starting new medications.
• Immediate access to in-house comfort medications for withdrawal symptoms, with guidance on proper use and storage.
• Daily individual counseling sessions to address any concerns or questions.
• Regular provider visits to assist with mental health and general medical needs.
• Psychiatric diagnostic testing for those with mental health concerns.

Take the first steps of recovery today by contacting Dove Recovery, where you’ll get effective treatment for opioid addiction — starting with safe medical detox treatment.

Not only will you receive detox treatment from our experienced professionals, but Dove Recovery also offers individualized plans to meet your specific needs. Whether it’s through our outpatient program, our partial hospitalization program, or our therapy and counseling services, our aim is to provide dependable support for your journey — every step of the way.

Contact us today to get your questions answered and schedule your assessment.