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Detox is not treatment; it’s the first phase of getting stable so a person can connect to the right level of care. Journey Magazine, #6, pg 17. Victor Cappoccia
Medical Detoxification is a process whereby individuals are systematically withdrawn from addicting drugs in an inpatient or outpatient setting, typically under the care of a physician. Detoxification is sometimes called a distinct treatment modality but is more appropriately considered a precursor of treatment, because it is designed to treat the acute physiological effects of stopping drug use. Medications are available for detoxification from opiates, nicotine, benzodiazepines, alcohol, barbiturates, and other sedatives. In some cases, particularly for the last three types of drugs, detoxification may be a medical necessity, and untreated withdrawal may be medically dangerous or even fatal.
Detoxification is a precursor of treatment. National Institute On Drug Abuse
Detox Facility: Take the person to an emergency room if you can’t find a facility or have any reason to believe the situation is life threatening... particularly if drugs and/or alcohol have been mixed... don’t hesitate to take the person to an emergency room
Search the internet for local detox centers.
The Waissman method: NOT Recommended
A good friend is one of many whom have been scammed by this treatment: We had a very disturbing experience with one of the doctors (he is one of the two who is listed on their website) who does the rapid medical detox. When my son Josh was in rehab in California he was sent to this doctor because his back was continuing to bother him. This doctor knew that Josh was currently in treatment for an opiate addiction but prescribed hydrocodone to him anyway, telling him to trust him. When I found out I was furious and called this doctor and asked him if he understood anything about addiction. He told me that yes, he did and as a matter of fact offered a rapid medical detox for $15,000 if we were interested. I was horrified because it was very evident that he had purposely relapsed my son in the hopes of lining his own pockets.
After my son's death we filed a complaint with the medical board in California. We discovered that this doctor was under investigation for the deaths of three of his patients after receiving rapid medical detox. It also came out that he had done to several other patients what he had done to my son. Although this doctor wasn't the one who prescribed the final drugs that ended my son's life our complaint was included in the case against this doctor.
After reading through all the facts surrounding these patients' deaths and our own experience with this doctor and the Waissman method I would never recommend it to anyone!
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