This certainly is not the gateway to paradise. No, not any addict, nor for any doctor who promises the cure for any addiction, would consider this as an instant cure for the lingering dilemma of addiction to drugs or alcohol. Rapid opiate detox is also known as the Waismann method, which was developed back in 1994 by Israeli physician Andre Waismann. While under sedation, the procedure provides the patient the privilege of not feeling the rapid physical reactions brought about by the withdrawal symptoms since additional medications are given to hasten the physical reactions while the patient is unconscious. Also, a catalyzed procedure is done that blocks the opiate receptors of the body to any opiates.
Addicts who are seduced by these promises must carefully study the consequences of availing of the procedure. These promises are very misleading, more so dangerous that they can even cost you your life.
The last four years sought controversies and attention when seven patients from the US Detox Intensive Treatment unit in New Jersey, under the supervision of Dr. Lance L. Gooberman, died within several days of the procedure. Gooberman was later taken to court and had his medical license removed. In defense, Gooberman said that the patient had undetected heart problems or may have taken cocaine which would then trigger a cardiac arrest. However, several doctors who had also performed the rapid opiate detox claimed that undergoing the rapid detox would harshly strain the devastated body of the addict, which can lead to death.
The expected outcome would be approximately 4 to 6 hours or 12 to 48 hours after the procedure. The patient would wake up without any more cravings for opiates physically. However, this will still depend on the exact drugs and procedure used on the patient. The patient would also have no cognizant memory of having undergone painful withdrawal symptoms.
Although several institutions would claim that this procedure is a hundred percent effective and very much reliable, beware of fraud endorsements. Most of the institutions, almost all, only sponsor and endorse the procedure since they make money out of it. Some would even claim that after the procedure, a fifty-five percent relapse from opiates can be observed. Yes, only from opiates but with other drugs and alcohol, think again.
In 1998, a study gained the attention of the public when it revealed the less promising side of the rapid detoxification treatment. The study appeared in the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence, where the study claims that the symptoms of withdrawal would still be present twenty-four hours after the detoxification and that a disappointing eighty percent of the patients failed with the six-month follow-up.
In Germany, doctors also supported the fact that there is no safe procedure that can detoxify any patient within 48 hours. Detoxification will take much longer time than 48 hours. They also added that aside from the inevitable and extremely high risks, there are no known benefits from availing of the procedure.
Aladdin’s magic lamp would not cover the pain and the time for an addict to be detoxified. Hence, it will be up to the addicts’ will and determination to get over the addiction and promise themselves rehabilitation as well as a productive life hereinafter.
