Opiate Dependency and Prescription Drug Addiction

There is no doubt that prescription painkiller misuse and dependency is on the rise. Open any newspaper in the world and you are likely to find stories about the fallout of addiction. Crime, accidents and deaths everywhere are being linked to opiate addiction.

A dependency to opiates is recognized as a central nervous system disorder, caused by continuous opiate intake. After prolonged opiate use, the nerve cells in the brain, which would otherwise produce endogenous opiates (natural painkillers, or endorphins), cease to function normally. The body stops producing endorphins because it is receiving opiates instead.

The degeneration of these nerve cells results in the user's physical dependency to an external supply of opiates. In order to reverse the chemical imbalance, opiate-dependent patients need to be properly assessed and medically treated.

Abrupt or sudden abstinence from opiates induces yet another traumatic disorder - withdrawal syndrome. The most commonly reported effects of opiate withdrawal are flu-like symptoms:

* nausea
* tremors
* confusion
* anxiety
* agitation
* insomnia.

In the last 40 years, addiction doctors at nationally-recognized treatment centers have accepted as "normal" the painful and dangerous physiological stress that comes with drug and alcohol withdrawal. Without extensive knowledge of brain chemistry and appropriate medical training, these "rehab doctors" wrongly assume that stressful and harmful withdrawal syndrome cannot be prevented.

During withdrawal, unchecked surges of adrenaline (norepinephrine ) can squeeze the coronary and peripheral blood vessels, producing dangerously high blood pressure. Severe cases of withdrawal can result in seizures and disturbances to the respiratory and central nervous systems. Our question at The Waismann Method is:

“Why suffer anymore than you already have?” We challenge those who say that withdrawal is a necessary and inevitable part of detoxing. The V.I.P. Way of rapid detox has perfected advanced anesthesia and neuro-regulation techniques for over 10 years.

With minimum time under anesthesia, our doctors achieve opiate detoxification and craving management while preventing dangerous blood pressure and pulse increases. This allows patients to detox in a safe, humane and successful manner.

With the addition of our aftercare chief nurse, we are able to offer our patients a full-service safe haven, and top-notch professional to guide them through the transition to an opiate-free life.

Our intention is to empower our patients, not to break them down. The field of rapid drug detox has received quite a bit of attention in recent years, though not all programs are the same. Our scientific and humane approach to treatment is what sets us apart from other drug detox and rehab centers. Our record speaks for itself.