Simply put, the rapid detox procedure eliminates the body's craving for certain highly-addictive drugs such as heroin and methadone by literally purging the system.

This opiate reversal procedure is conducted under general anesthetia and is followed by a maintenance program employing Naltrexone in conjunction with counselling. This highly successful program for individuals who have become dependent upon opiate-based drugs and medications brings together two integral parts of the recovery process. Utilizing the clinically safe procedure know as, Anesthesia Assisted Rapid Opiate Detoxification (AAROD) which provides a rapid detoxification process (4 - 6 hours) that significantly diminishes the withdrawal discomfort and time. This is followed by structured continuing care for ongoing recovery. It has shown to be successful in treating dependency on wide range of opiate-based drugs and medications including:

• Heroin
• Narcotic pain relief drugs such as Vicodin®, OxyContin®, Lorcet®, Darvon®, Morphine, Demerol®, Codeine
• Methadone
• Opium

While under general anesthetia, the patient is administered medications that remove the opiates (narcotics) from the nervous system.

		Hydrocodone
		Oxycontin®
		Burpenorphine / Suboxone®
		Vicodin®
		Opiate Dependency
		Opiate Addiction

This causes immediate and sudden withdrawal. However, since the patient is unconscious, he/she avoids the anguish of rapid withdrawal. Naltrexone and Naloxone - two powerful yet safe drugs - are then administered, reducing the normal withdrawal period from five or six days to five or six hours.

The patient is then maintained in a state where he/she essentially sleeps through the worst of the withdrawal symptoms over several hours.

When the patient awakens, he/she will have lost their craving for heroin but may experience some residual withdrawal symptoms. However, these symptoms will not increase and will, in fact, decrease, as the patient continues to improve. The patient is provided with medications to help relieve most of the withdrawal symptoms.

What Is Naltrexone Maintenance Therapy?

Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the effects of heroin, Methadone and other prescribed pain medications.

Naltrexone works by entering the brain and nervous systems and attaching itself to small areas called receptor sites. For heroin to produce its effect it must attach itself to these receptor sites. However, since the Naltrexone has already done so, it prevents the heroin from doing likewise. Therefore, the patient does not get "high" and avoids relapse. It is recommended that Naltrexone therapy be maintained for at least six months. Naltrexone is completely effective, produces very few side effects, and is fully approved by the FDA.

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