Opiates and opiate detox myths

An opiate is not a specific drug; its a class of drugs defined as narcotic comprising opium or an opium derivative. Invented as prescription drugs, opiates, nevertheless found way into recreational usage and currently are a massive problem the medical world is dealing with; more so, for opiate tolerance develops faster than one feeling symptoms surfacing. That applies to all from OxyContin and Oxycodone to Vicodin and Hydrocodone and the rest; however, the commercial presence of patches (e.g. Fentanyl) have eased up rigorous withdrawals to tolerable passing phases if used wisely in conjunction with the sedated opiate detox procedure. However, unlike traditional or long-term opiate detox therapies, rapid detox carries too many risks for people with severely deteriorated health conditions and might even lead to death by cardiac arrests.

That was clearing the myth on the rapid opiate detox process; now, the myths and facts on the most widely used opiates.

i. Heroin: People usually think it is less habit forming if smoked or snorted; however, it is equally deadly and addictive no matter how it is ingested. Its true that such modes eliminate the chances for HIV infection by avoiding the needle, but the same may occur while enjoying the high with unprotected sex. This proves that only detox measures are not sufficient to treat an addict; the diagnosis must be proper, also for any additional intoxicant the person may remain hooked to.

ii. Methadone: This is one reason why the rapid opiate detox method is gaining more popularity. Methadone (a synthetic narcotic resembling morphine and used for opiate detoxification and to maintain heroin addiction) is considered more harmful than any other opiate (even heroin); whereas fact remains that methadone is much safer if administered under medical supervision in controlled environments.

iii. Abstinence treats an opiate addiction effectively: Rapid opiate detox just flatters this wrong idea, often letting go off the post detox measures to bring things back to the square one. This is just one means by which detox centers with questionable reputation earn their bread; a complete cure would stop the inflow. A vicious circle follows.

iv. A rapid opiate detox session is the complete cure: Its a wrong notion; rapid opiate detox just clears the physical cravings and not the psychological one.

v. Withdrawal symptoms are completely eliminated with rapid detoxification: Wrong again! You dont feel the withdrawals as long as the anesthesia is in action, but theres no guarantee that youll come out of it before the detox is over, unless under the supervision of trained and qualified professionals. A quack may push you enough to keep you unconscious for just a day or forever; so stick to the rules and agree to what rapid detox was created for To minimize the intensity of withdrawals till a tolerable level could be achieved.

So, is ultra/rapid opiate detox safe? Yes and no; despite the process bringing in higher health risks, it can be called safe in the hands of trained professionals, who administer just enough to make a patient pass precisely through the withdrawal. Trying to use rapid opiate detox procedures as a complete cure is as good as being on the wrong end of the gun.