Ultra Rapid Opiate Detox (UROD)

Ultra Rapid Opiate Detox is a procedure that has been in use since the late 1980s. The method uses an opiate antagonist to "clean" the opiate receptors in the brain. Since giving an opiate antagonist to an addicted person causes immediate and agonizing withdrawal symptoms, this procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia and can be risky. The process takes several hours, and there is a lengthy recovery period that lasts anywhere from 6 hours to 2 days. Facilities that advertise UROD say that when the patient wakes up, they are completely free of withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opiates. These claims are, unfortunately, not true.

UROD does nothing to address psychological craving for opiates and patients that go through the procedure will still experience significant withdrawal symptoms. Some facilities actually send patients home with supplies of other addictive drugs to deal with the withdrawal symptoms, which only continues and accentuates the cycle of addiction.

There are several other major drawbacks to the Ultra Rapid Opiate Detox method, which likely contributes to the fact that it remains relatively uncommon almost 2 decades after its introduction. Firstly, there have been numerous deaths resulting from the procedure as UROD is a major medical procedure that is far more dangerous than traditional detoxification. The use of general anesthesia has inherent dangers and little is known about the stress that UROD places on a body that is already weakened by dependence. Also, people who relapse following UROD are also statistically far more likely to overdose.

Secondly, the cost of Ultra Rapid Opiate Detox is prohibitive. Practices charge up to $15,000 for UROD and do not include any follow-up care. Further, major health insurance companies do not recognize UROD as viable substance abuse treatment and in general will not pay for it. Also, UROD does not help the dependent person deal with the psychological cravings they are bound to experience after the detox. Patients are released from the facility without any of the tools they will need to maintain long-term abstinence from opiates.

Outpatient Detoxification Programs

Many doctors' offices and pain clinics have begun to operate so-called "outpatient" detoxification programs. In actuality, there is no formal "program" whatsoever. Treatment usually consists of the doctor writing a prescription for the drug dependent person and sending them home. The cost of these programs can be very expensive, often exceeding the cost of an inpatient detoxification.

If not used properly, the drugs prescribed by these "outpatient programs" are potentially addictive, and many people become dependent on their detox medications. It is also no surprise that many addicts don't take these medications as prescribed, whether intentionally or not. Oftentimes, people continue to abuse drugs while on these programs, creating a dangerous detox medication mix.

"Outpatient detox" implies someone can go through the detoxification process quickly and not miss a day of work. These expectations are unrealistic as detoxification is a complicated medical procedure and should not be taken lightly. We believe that in order for a drug dependent person to achieve long term recovery, they must invest the time necessary to be safely and properly detoxed from the drugs and substances they are abusing. We don't agree that this can be accomplished overnight, or at home.