5-7 Day Inpatient Opiate Detoxification
WHAT IS IT?
A five to seven days stay in a hospital or clinic where you will stop taking opiates and be kept as comfortable as possible by medically treating your withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal process may be completed by using Naltrexone (an opiate antagonist or ‘blocking’ drug) with sedation.
There are various techniques used by our linked services and we will advise you of the most suitable for your needs during your assessment. The insertion of a Naltrexone implant is usually part of the process and is recommended.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
An assessment covering your medical, psychiatric and drug history, a physical examination, tests and a treatment plan.
If there is to be a significant delay before your detox (e.g. for medical or personal reasons) and temporary maintenance treatment is indicated, we will need to do a tolerance test dose before prescribing.
Your ‘detox’ including travel, accommodation at the clinic, medications*, special/personal arrangements and insertion of a Naltrexone implant (if requested).
After care consultations/counselling for six months after detox - provided you remain opiate-free during that time and comply with a Naltrexone programme.
We strongly recommend a Naltrexone implant or depot injection to prevent early relapse. Statistically it is likely you will relapse soon after detox unless you are protected by Naltrexone (or a resident rehab program). The statistics change in your favour the longer you stay clean.
Follow-up does not include treatment for non-opiate drug problems, although this can be arranged separately.
* Medications are used to treat any nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, agitation, restlessness, insomnia, aches and pains.