Medical Drug Detox – Finding A Center
Selecting a method of drug addiction detox depends on whether an individual wants to avoid a positive test at work or if they wish to be completely clear of additive substances as a step towards a major change in lifestyle. The latter goal could be reasonably described as rehabilitation, or ‘rehab’ for short. Rapid opiate detox was introduced twenty years ago by doctors in Israel and has since been modified by safer medications that have FDA approval.
Rapid Detox
Withdrawing from an addictive substance without the support of medical intervention can last for a period of several days. The symptoms of withdrawal may be extremely painful and very unpleasant. This can often put people off from going into rehabilitation. It is possible to go through detox very quickly. This method of ‘rapid detox’ involves placing the patient under an anesthetic to spare them the severe pain and other symptoms. It is claimed that it can give results in as little as two hours. This treatment is very expensive and the safety has not yet been proven. It is an extreme measure for passing a simple urine test.
Reasons For Testing
A person may be asked to submit to a laboratory drug test for any one of a number of reasons. Insurance companies sometimes ask for them before issuing a life insurance policy. Students, probationers and parolees may all be asked to provide a sample for testing from time to time. Athletes in competitive sports are often required to take urine tests. Many employers require them prior to making an appointment or a promotion. There is only one sure way to be sure of passing one of these tests and that is to abstain completely, at least for the duration of its detection time.
Clearance Time
The drug detection time is defined as the length of time that a drug remains detectable via testing the urine. Some substances like cannabinoids (marijuana), steroids and phenobarbital (a long-acting barbiturate) may take as long as weeks or even months to clear the system. Tranquillizers in the benzodiazepine family (lorazepam, valium, etc.) can take a week or ten days. Amphetamines, cocaine, opiates and short-acting barbiturates may clear the system in less than a week.
Detox Drinks
There are many preparations available over the Internet that are marketed as ‘detox drinks’. Some are also available to purchase over the telephone or at selected retailers. Many of them are active for only a few hours, just long enough to pass a drug test.
Total Rehabilitation
Being ‘clean’ enough to get by for a drug test may be good enough to keep a job and stay out of jail. For people who have a big drug problem and desire a major change in their lifestyle, a more extensive regime of detoxification and rehab may be required. This method needs to include therapies directed to challenge psychological, social and behavioral factors.
Residential Treatment
Residential crack rehab programs are promising because they remove the individual from the environmental and social influences that encourage the drug using lifestyle. They also allow residents to gain confidence in forming relationships with non-drug users. When the patient is released back into the community, a successful program will provide follow up to prevent backsliding.