Deciding on a technique for drug detoxification depends on whether a person intends simply to clear their system long enough to pass a blood or urine test or they are looking for a way of getting off addictive substances and completely modifying their lifestyle. The more ambitious goal requires rehabilitation (‘rehab’ for short). A method of rapid opiate detox was developed at the end of the last century by physicians in Israel. Since then, it has been adapted using safer medications that have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Rapid Detox
Withdrawing from an addictive substance without the support of medical intervention can last for a period of several days. The symptoms of withdrawal may be extremely painful and very unpleasant. This can often put people off from going into rehabilitation. It is possible to go through detox very quickly. This method of ‘rapid detox’ involves placing the patient under an anesthetic to spare them the severe pain and other symptoms. It is claimed that it can give results in as little as two hours. This treatment is very expensive and the safety has not yet been proven. It is an extreme measure for passing a simple urine test.
Reasons For Testing
A person may be asked to submit to a laboratory drug test for any one of a number of reasons. Insurance companies sometimes ask for them before issuing a life insurance policy. Students, probationers and parolees may all be asked to provide a sample for testing from time to time. Athletes in competitive sports are often required to take urine tests. Many employers require them prior to making an appointment or a promotion. There is only one sure way to be sure of passing one of these tests and that is to abstain completely, at least for the duration of its 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 are many preparations available over the Internet that are marketed as ‘detox drinks’. Some are also available to purchase over the telephone or at selected retailers. Many of them are active for only a few hours, just long enough to pass a drug test.
Total Rehabilitation
Simply passing a urine test may be good enough for casual users who just want to keep their jobs and blow the odd joint over the weekend. For people with a serious addiction problem who want to put it behind them and get clean for good, a longer, more structured program of detoxification and rehabilitation may be in order. These focus on social, psychological and behavioral issues associated with addiction, as well as clearing the substance physically out of the system.
Residential Treatment
Residential crack cocaine 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.