Provide the client with a relapse prevention program and ultimately guide them to a strong after care program. While under general anesthesia, the patient is administered medications which counteract the effect of the narcotics, thus allowing the body to rapidly withdraw. Because the patient is asleep during the entire detoxification process, they experience no withdrawal symptoms and emerge from the sedation detoxified with few if any physical symptoms and no physical dependence for the drugs. The rehabilitation process can begin within a few days and there is no chance for drop outs once the patient receives anesthesia. The entire detoxification process is conducted under the supervision of a board certified anesthesiologist.
Patients can return to their homes and jobs within days rather than weeks or months.
The RAOD process is carried out in our intensive care unit. Patients usually are discharged within 48 hours following recovery from anesthesia and assessment of their physical status. Recovery is a life-long process and affects every area of a patient's life. We firmly believe that detoxification which is not coupled with a structured rehabilitation effort does not constitute ample treatment for opiate addicts. At the chemical dependency medical assessment conducted prior to the procedure, the patient and the physician develop a rehabilitation plan specific to the patient's needs.