detoxification under anaesthesia

detoxification under anaesthesia

A rapid and humane method of detoxifying people with heroin and other opioid addiction. The method is based on the use of opioid antagonist drugs while the patient is kept under general anaesthesia with tracheal intubation and bladder catheterization. Autonomic responses to the opiod withdrawal are monitored and sedative drugs added to control them. Continuous surveillance by anaesthetists is necessary. The whole process takes about 24 hours.