F.A.Q.

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     What is heroin addiction?

Heroin addiction is a disease characterized by physical and psychological dependency on heroin, by continuous use of the drug despite the negative consequences associated with it.

     What heroin addiction treatments are most available?

There are three main heroin treatment programs:

Our clinic doesn't support the idea of substitution therapy due to its addictive potential.

      What is heroin detoxification?

Heroin detoxification like any other drug detoxification is a process of getting the drug out of the patient's body.  It can last  from several days in case of heroin  addiction to several weeks in case of methadone or substitiol addiction.

      How do I know if I need to undergo heroin detoxification?

 Anyone  who has a problem with  heroin dependency has to undergo heroin detoxification.

     Is there a safe way of using heroin?

 All ways of using heroin lead to addiction.

     What are the withdrawal symptoms from heroin ?

  • Physical symptoms of withdrawal from heroin or other opiates include: yawning, goosebumps, running nose, watery eyes, excessive sweating, from moderate to severe muscle pain, fever, involuntary leg movements, diarrhea, dilated pupils.
  • Psychological symptoms of opiate withdrawal include: irritability, anxiety, coupled with craving for the drug, insomnia, depression.

    How long does the withdrawal from heroin and other opiates last?

The initial phase of non-medically addressed withdrawal from heroin may last from 7 up to 10-12 days. It depends on the dose of the drug and duration of drug abuse. The remains of such symptoms as insomnia,  depression, poor appetite, muscle pain, inability to tolerate stress or physical discomfort may continue for up to six months. The long lasting withdrawal symptoms most  likely happen in case of methadone or substitol addiction.

    What is relapse?

Relapse is a situation when a recovering addict returns to the substance of choice. Some addicts are able to maintain abstinence from using the drug from the first attempt. Others may suffer multiple relapses. It is important to take measures to prevent relapse as far as possible.

    What are the medications to prevent drug relapse?

Naltrexone reliably blocks opioid receptors making opiates ineffective if consumed. It makes taking heroin or other opiates useless. Many opiate addicts report that Naltrexone treatment helped them  to achieve long term abstinence and eventually to recover from drug addiction.

    What is Ultra Rapid Opioid Detoxification?

Ultra Rapid Opioid Detoxification (UROD), or in other words- Anesthesia Assisted Opioid Detoxification (AAOD),  is a medical procedure designed to cleanse the body out of opiates while keeping the patient under general anesthesia. It is safe and highly effective method of drug detoxification that allows to eliminate withdrawal syndrome in most painless and comfortable way.

    Is the method of Ultra Rapid Opiod Detoxification safe?

Yes, it is. Opioid detoxification is safe and acceptable  procedure since it is done under   standard anesthesia protocol.

   What is the effectiveness of Ultra Rapid Opioid Detoxification?

Rapid opioid detoxification is very effective procedure. Patients don't experience the withdrawal symptoms since they are under anesthesia and the process of detoxification is being addressed with appropriate medications during that time.

   Will I experience the withdrawal symptoms after anesthesia assisted  detox procedure?

 The remains of withdrawal still may present straight after detox procedure, but their intensity is drastically reduced, since the majority of the withdrawal symptoms occur during the procedure while the patient is under anesthesia. The reduced symptoms are easy manageable with traditional medications.

   Are there any contraindications by going through the Anesthesia Assisted Opioid Detoxification?

Prior to undergoing rapid opioid detoxification, the patient's physical and mental condition is evaluated by doctor anesthesiologist to determine if the patient qualifies for the procedure and if he can benefit from the procedure.  If the patient has any contraindications for rapid detox, he is recommended to consider other methods of drug detoxification.

   What should I do after completion drug detoxification treatment?

We strongly advise our patients after completion drug detoxification to go on Naltrexone treatment and stay there for at least half a year.  Naltrexone blockade in form of  implants combined with  counseling and group therapy programs is the preferred and the most  successful way to achieve long term abstinence with  following-up  recovery from drug addiction.

 

Related articles:

  • Regarding other methods of heroin treatment, we are absolutely convinced that recovery from heroin addiction can be achieved  only through safe, effective and secure way of using the complex treatment programs where drug detoxification, mental dependence treatment, long term naltrexone treatment and counseling programs are mandatory included. 
  • Any kind of medically assisted  drug detoxification must be conducted by professionals in a medically supervised facility, where the right medication can be administered  on the right time to manage potentially dangerous  withdrawal symptoms.
  • Heroin withdrawal can begin as soon as four -six hours after the last short, when the user starts feeling irritable, anxious, nervous as the drug leaves the  body.
  • Ultra rapid opioid detoxification is another form of opiate detoxification in which a patient  is receiving opiate antagonist medications (usually naltrexone) that send him into immediate acute withdrawal for several hours  while he is put in a state of general anesthesia.
  • Naltrexone implants release controlled amount of Naltrexone into patient's body during the pointed time.