Compliance Rate Low in Rapid Detox Programs
Updated July 12, 2013.
The compliance rate for taking the opiate antagonists and seeking counseling is dismal because patients going for rapid detoxification often mistakenly believe they are somehow going to be "cured" and can begin using other drugs.
It is well known that an addict often stops heroin and begins drinking too much or taking too many tranquilizers," explains Loretta Standard LCDC, a counselor in a methadone maintenance clinic in Corpus Cristi, Texas.
"If they can't take one drug, they take another. This is because it isn't just heroin they are addicted to. If they are an addict, they will be in trouble with any mind affecting chemical. Our treatment goal is eventual abstinence."
The self-help program of Narcotic's Anonymous stresses that abstinence combined with a total lifestyle change is the only way to arrest the symptoms of the disease. "An addict will always look for the easier, softer way," says Georgiana G. a 30 year member of NA in California. "If I can't use heroin then I will use something else that gives me instant good feelings."
"However, it is not fair to judge all programs by Gooberman's clinic because he is in trouble for doing the procedure outpatient, with no adequate anaesthesiological staff, nor follow up.
It would be good to know," Dr. Meyers continues, if other RODs are woven into a comprehensive continuum of care."
"But," Dr. Meyers comments, "our experience here in New Jersey has not been good. Talk about your "dry drunk". You can't just take a stone junkie off the street, drain out the opiates, and plop him back into society."
The important thing to remember about ROD is that it is not a treatment for addiction. It is a treatment for withdrawal and this is all. Because some studies have found that rapid detox followed by naltrexone did seem to keep patients from relapsing long enough to make those necessary lifestyle changes, it probably has its place in a comprehensive treatment approach.
We must, however, be diligent in making it clear that ROD is no Aladdin's Lamp and you can't get well by making a wish.
Shelly Marshall is a Chemical Dependency Specialist from Virginia who trains addiction counselors around the world. You can get more information at her web site day-by-day.org.
The compliance rate for taking the opiate antagonists and seeking counseling is dismal because patients going for rapid detoxification often mistakenly believe they are somehow going to be "cured" and can begin using other drugs.
It is well known that an addict often stops heroin and begins drinking too much or taking too many tranquilizers," explains Loretta Standard LCDC, a counselor in a methadone maintenance clinic in Corpus Cristi, Texas.
"If they can't take one drug, they take another. This is because it isn't just heroin they are addicted to. If they are an addict, they will be in trouble with any mind affecting chemical. Our treatment goal is eventual abstinence."
The self-help program of Narcotic's Anonymous stresses that abstinence combined with a total lifestyle change is the only way to arrest the symptoms of the disease. "An addict will always look for the easier, softer way," says Georgiana G. a 30 year member of NA in California. "If I can't use heroin then I will use something else that gives me instant good feelings."
Experience Not Good
Dr. Peter Myers in New Jersey, often sat in his office shaking his head and looking across the street at Dr. Gooberman's clinic displaying a huge banner that insinuates a sort of magic in ultrarapid heroin detoxification. Today, of course, the banner is down until the courts of New Jersey decide if Dr. Gooberman can retain his practice."However, it is not fair to judge all programs by Gooberman's clinic because he is in trouble for doing the procedure outpatient, with no adequate anaesthesiological staff, nor follow up.
It would be good to know," Dr. Meyers continues, if other RODs are woven into a comprehensive continuum of care."
"But," Dr. Meyers comments, "our experience here in New Jersey has not been good. Talk about your "dry drunk". You can't just take a stone junkie off the street, drain out the opiates, and plop him back into society."
Naltrexone Can Help
Most addiction experts would agree that you can't just take out the drug and have a happy, well adjusted person. You have to train them to get over the magical thinking and instant happiness, to earn their place in the sun -- not look for the lamp with a genie in it.The important thing to remember about ROD is that it is not a treatment for addiction. It is a treatment for withdrawal and this is all. Because some studies have found that rapid detox followed by naltrexone did seem to keep patients from relapsing long enough to make those necessary lifestyle changes, it probably has its place in a comprehensive treatment approach.
We must, however, be diligent in making it clear that ROD is no Aladdin's Lamp and you can't get well by making a wish.
Shelly Marshall is a Chemical Dependency Specialist from Virginia who trains addiction counselors around the world. You can get more information at her web site day-by-day.org.
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