Deciding on a method of drug detox is dependent on whether an individual wants to completely clear their system of addictive substances and change their life completely or if they simply want to pass a drug test at work or elsewhere. The first involves rehabilitation while the second may involve biochemistry. Israeli doctors at the end of the twentieth century developed a method of rapid opiate detox. The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has gradually tweaked this over the years to use safer medications that have been approved.
Rapid Detox
Achieving complete clearance of an addictive substance without any form of medical intervention may take several days. Withdrawal can be extremely painful and unpleasant. This often makes people put off going ‘clean’. There is a system of ‘rapid detox’ involving anesthetic so the patient can escape the pain and other associated symptoms. While this approach can provide results in as little as a few hours, it costs a lot of money and its safety is as yet unproven. It’s a lot of bother to just pass a simple test.
Reasons For Testing
There are many possible occasions on which someone may have to take a urine test. Some employers test prospective employees or those they are considering for promotion. Sporting competitions may involve substance testing. So may taking out a life insurance policy. Parolees and probationers may be required to submit to urine tests, as well as school students. The only to be absolutely certain of passing a test is to completely abstain from using the substance for at least as long as the detection time.
Clearance Time
The necessary period of abstinence depends on the average clearance time of the molecule in question. Some substances, such as amphetamines, short-acting barbiturates, cocaine and opiates, for example, can clear the system in less than a week. Others like benzodiazepines (valium) or LSD can take up to ten days. Some substances, like cannabinoids (marijuana), phenobarbital and steroids may take anywhere from two or three weeks to a matter of months. These times are based on urine analysis.
Detox Drinks
There is a substantial market for personal drug tests so that casual drug users may monitor their levels. For those facing an impending drug test, it is possible to buy special ‘detox drinks’ over the Internet that act long enough to get through a test successfully. These may also be bought over the telephone or at special retailers.
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 rehabilitation programs are helpful because they isolate the patient from the social and environmental situations that trigger their drug using behaviors. They give residents a chance to develop confidence in establishing relationships with peers who do not use drugs. When the individual is released back into the community, a winning regime will offer treatment to follow up and keep the individual from relapsing into old, destructive habits.
Other Alternatives
Only a small percentage of people with addiction problems to benzodiazepines, heroin, phenobarbital, etc., have access to the necessary resources to check themselves into a detox clinic. Fortunately, their family doctors and nurses can help by offering advice. Doctors can also prescribe medication to help ease the torture of medical drug addiction detox. Local crack cocaine addiction rehab can also provide referrals for counseling and relevant self-help groups.