Important factors to consider for Rapid Drug Detox:

• Comprehensive pre-exams are completed prior to the detox procedure; complete physical, urinalysis, drug screen, EKG, psychological evaluation and if necessary a stress echocardiogram test and chest X-Ray
• Complete Blood Serum Chemistry (Full Chem 25) and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel including: BUN, Chloride, Carbon Dioxide, Creatinine, Glucose, Potassium, Sodium, Albumin, Calcium, Direct and Total Bilirubin, Total Protein, Uric Acid, ALT, AST, LDH, CPK, GGTP, Triglycerides, Cholesterol, HDL, LDL), and Serum Magnesium, Complete Blood Count (CBC) including differential and platelet count
• Admittance to a JCAHO Accredited Hospital
• Patients treated and monitored by our 4 RDD staff physicians
• Actual detoxification procedure performed in an "Operating Room"
• 2 "Board Certified" physicians present in the O.R. during the detoxification procedure
• Post procedure "recovery room" hospital monitoring all night by a "Board Certified" RDD physician until stable and discharged, typically the following morning
• Post procedure “One-on-One” hospital recovery room private duty nursing care all afternoon and all night
• IV infusions of vitamins and electrolytes to replenish nutrients and speed the healing process
• Upon hospital discharge, patients will return to their own private hotel suite for a few days of rest and continued monitoring
• An experienced RDD medic will remain on the premises of the hotel 24 hours a day, making rounds every few hours until patients leave for home
• An RDD Physician will visit and assess the patient daily after hospital discharge
• Post treatment medical coverage for at least for 30-45 days
• 24 hour a day, 7 days a week access to knowledgeable medical staff

Detox Treatment Setting

Other rapid detox programs are performing the detoxification procedure in an out-patient clinic or office setting, an ambulatory surgery center that may or may not be connected or affiliated with a hospital or in a standard hospital room or an intensive care unit of a hospital. These environments do not provide access to the proper and necessary medical care and monitoring that a fully equipped Operating Room at a JCAHO Accredited hospital can provide. No anesthesia services should ever be performed unless the patient is in a fully equipped operating room. Patients undergoing the rapid detox procedure need a safe environment with access to all the essential medical equipment and experienced staff required to treat even the most complex conditions. The RDD Method recognizes that this is a major medical procedure and should be performed in a JCAHO Accredited hospital "Operating Room".

Physicians

Other rapid detox programs have only 1 physician handling the entire program and only 1 physician present during the entire detoxification procedure. The RDD Method recognizes that 2 "Board Certified" physicians must be present in the Operating Room at all times while the patient is undergoing the detoxification process. Dr. Sharon M. Schafer M.D., is a Board Certified Anesthesiologist and Dr. Edith Nemeth M.D., is a Board Certified Internist. Our third physician, Dr. Elliotte Moss M.D., is a Board Certified Internist and will remain at the hospital to monitor our patients all night after the rapid detox procedure. Our "resident" physician, Dr. Mark Hamed M.D. will visit and continue to monitor patients post procedure, once discharged from the hospital. This ensures the highest level of professional care and safety. Surprisingly, some rapid detox programs do not provide "board certified" physicians. Some rapid detox websites do not list their physicians names, qualifications or board certification documentation because it is likely they are not board certified. We find it necessary to encourage you to check the status of Board Certification of an anesthesiologist and not "just take the facilities word for it". Ask for the specific name of the anesthesiologist that will be doing the detox treatment. We highly recommend that you check that physician's certification with the American Board of Anesthesiology at www.theaba.org. This process is very simple to do and will assure that you are not being misinformed. This will also ensure that you are being treated by a knowledgeable expert in the field of anesthesiology. Our physicians are experienced and knowledgeable in the field of rapid drug detoxification. The RDD Center has helped thousands of patients worldwide over the past 9 years.

Monitoring

Some rapid detox programs discharge the patient to a nearby hotel only hours after the detox procedure with just a doctor "on-call" putting a patient at tremendous risk should medical complications arise in such a setting. The RDD Method realizes that this is a major medical treatment, therefore it is necessary to be hospitalized and have a physician "on-duty" at the hospital all night post procedure. An RDD Center physician, Dr. Moss M.D., Board Certified in Internal Medicine, is present post detox procedure to monitor and take care of just our patients. RDD Method also provides circulating paramedics, RN's and one-on-one private duty bedside nursing care for each patient for the entire hospital post-op stay. These highly skilled RDD Center staff members will remain with the patient in a hospital recovery room environment overnight post detox procedure to monitor and take care of only the RDD patients. Once the patient is discharged from the hospital they return to their private hotel suite for a few days of rest and observation. Patients will continue to be seen and monitored by our physicians every day and our highly skilled Paramedics will remain on the premises of the hotel, available at all times, making rounds and visiting patients, 24 hours a day until discharge. Our Paramedics are always just a phone call away. Dr. Nemeth M.D., RDD Medical Director, will see all patients for a final "follow-up" evaluation prior to their discharge.

Anesthesia Details

Some rapid detox programs claim that 4-8 hours of anesthesia is necessary to complete the opiate detoxification so the patient will not wake up in withdrawals. Putting the patient at great risk under lengthy anesthesia is not necessary with the advanced RDD Method anesthesia detox protocol. The RDD Method realizes the longer a patient is under anesthesia, the more chance of complications. A well trained "board certified" anesthesiologist with the proper knowledge and experience have made advancements improving the outcome and the time necessary under general anesthesia. This knowledge, experience and the development of new and improved rapid detox techniques have proven that lengthy anesthesia is not necessary and in fact, can be dangerous. The rapid detox centers that have many years of experience no longer use the "old" way of rapid detox with 8 hours under anesthesia. A physician promoting a lengthy anesthesia would certainly be an indication that the anesthesiologist is self trained by acquiring information found in medical journals on the internet from 15 years ago, when the rapid detox was first developed. Many advances have been made since then.

Pre-Detox Opiate Switch

Some rapid detox programs will encourage a patient on certain opiates such as Suboxone/Subutex or Methadone to switch over to a traditional opiate for a week or two prior to a rapid detox. The RDD Method recognizes that this makes absolutely no sense due to the huge amount of a traditional opiate that would be needed to replace milligram per milligram of Methadone or Suboxone/Subutex. We have heard of patients overdosing in these situations. Suboxone /Subutex has such a strong binding affinity to the opiate receptors and it takes a few weeks for the patient's receptors to metabolize and weaken/dislodge the Suboxone/Subutex from the opiate receptor to allow the full attachment of a traditional opiate. In this situation the patient would not get the benefit of a traditional opiate and more than likely would experience withdrawal from using a traditional opiate. The patient would then be tempted to use larger amounts of opiates which could cause an overdose.

Subutex/Suboxone

Some rapid detox programs advertise that they do a rapid detox, but do not actually do what is known as a rapid detox under anesthesia. Their patients are never told about this type of detox until after they are given a powerful benzodiazepine per IV infusion to induce unconsciousness. They then receive an IV infusion of Buprenex (liquid Subutex), which is the opiate; Buprenorphine. The infusion of this strong opiate drug will readily attach to the opiate receptors with a strong binding affinity, pushing off the original opiate drug currently on the opiate receptors. When the patient awakens they are started on very high doses of Subutex/Suboxone, the sublingual oral form of the opiate Buprenorphine. They will then remain on this replacement opiate drug for months. Upon finding out they are now addicted to an opiate typically more powerful than the opiate they were seeking a detox from, they are left to seek out a doctor in their area that will continue the maintenance dosing of this drug. Suboxone/Subutex has the analgesic power 20-30 times stronger than morphine (per FDA studies and documentation, see FDA letter), and most find it impossible to "wean" down and stop the drug. The RDD Method would never use a "replacement opiate" drug. We understand the disappointment and struggle the patient encounters after spending thousands of dollars and realizing they must now seek out another detoxification for the Suboxone/Subutex addiction. The RDD Method strives to give each patient an affordable, trustworthy and honest rapid detox so they can eliminate the need for future use of opiates. We accomplish this by treating our patients with a true rapid detox procedure under anesthesia, never using replacement opiates. Approximately 1/3 of the patients we detox are addicted to Subutex/Suboxone.

Benzodiazepine Detox

Some rapid detox centers advertise a Benzodiazepine detox under anesthesia. This process involves the IV infusion of a very dangerous medication known as a Benzodiazepine antidote. This antidote drug can induce violent and life threatening seizures in a Benzodiazepine dependent patient and death has been reported by its use. It should be reserved only for dire emergency situations in the emergency room or 911 calls for a life threatening overdose from a Benzodiazepine. By immediately clearing the receptors of this type of drug, in a rapid way, the patient can suffer grave medical difficulties, tremendous anxiety and withdrawal for months. The RDD Method utilizes a gradual "at home wean down schedule" that the patient can tolerate comfortably, sometimes taking a few months to decrease doses. This is the only safe and humane way to do a withdrawal off of Benzodiazepines. We cover patients and call in prescriptions to the patient's local pharmacy weekly, assisting and guiding them with this process so they are successful in breaking free from their benzodiazepine addiction. We do not charge extra for this assistance for up to 2 months.

Naltrexone

Some rapid detox programs do not include Naltrexone Therapy. The rapid detox programs that use Suboxone/Subutex would not use Naltrexone because Suboxone/Subutex are opiates, therefore it could not be used. The RDD Method utilizes this opiate blocking medication. Naltrexone is absolutely non-addicting, not an opiate and will never cause withdrawal when discontinued. Naltrexone must be used after the detox to prevent the residual opiate that remains in the fat and liver from reattaching to the clean opiate receptors. For some drugs such as Methadone and Subutex/Suboxone, this could take weeks for the body to metabolize the drug out of distant tissues. The patient has the choice of Naltrexone available in 3 dosage forms. The 2 month Naltrexone Implant/pellet, the 1 month "IM" injectable Naltrexone and the oral "pill" form. Those patients detoxing off of Methadone or Subutex/Suboxone are required to have either the Naltrexone injection or the implant/pellet to ensure the long lasting blocking effect that only this delivery system can ensure. See our "Naltrexone information" for details about Naltrexone Therapy. We provide patients with a prescription for the "oral" pill form of Naltrexone for up to one year if the patient chooses to remain on this drug for continued sobriety. The prescription can be filled at their local pharmacy.

Post Procedure Care

Other rapid detox programs have limited follow-up care and provide little or no coverage and assistance to patients once they are home. Most doctors feel their treatment is over and they will not risk calling in any needed prescriptions once the patient is discharged. The RDD Method is known for our compassionate care and concern for our patients. We understand that patients may need help with medication with sleep, energy, appetite, anxiety, etc. and if we do not provide this, patients may want to seek illicit medication by other means. Needed medication is available to all patients. The medication we can offer patients for their comfort is short term and never addicting and only provided for 1 week at a time. We must be assured that someone other than the patient will control and dispense the medication. We listen to our patient's needs and call in prescriptions to their local pharmacy in whichever state they live in. The majority of our patients travel to us from all over the country. Our patients deserve our continued coverage for at least a month. This coverage reassures them that they are not left on their own to "deal with it". The more we help our patients, the more successful, appreciative and compliant they are. This type of after care and concern is very reasonable in this situation and patients should expect to be under our care for at least 30 days.

Lodging

Some rapid detox programs discharge the patient to a local hotel for a few days of rest post procedure and do not provide 24 hour a day care at the hotel. RDD Center provides 24 hour coverage with "on the premises" experienced paramedics to assist and monitor the patient for the remainder of their stay. The RDD Center has an arrangement with
The Embassy Suites Hotel and for their entire stay, all patients and their family or friends are provided a private, 2 room suite with many amenities, including refrigerator, microwave, two televisions; 1 in every room, all suites have a private bedroom with 2 beds and a living room with a pull out couch for extra guests. The RDD Center provides lodging whether it be for the required 4 night stay or if needed, RDD will cover the cost for a 5th night. Patients are encouraged to bring whoever they would like to stay with them. The Embassy Suites provide our patients with shuttling to and from our facility at no charge. A gourmet restaurant, Cascades, is on site with room service available for delivery of delicious meals. Patients are welcome to use the pool and hot whirlpool. Our masseuse is available for an "in room" professional massage.

Costs

Some rapid detox centers have exorbitant charges making it impossible for most patients to receive the help they truly need. Others may quote a price that seems affordable but have many extra charges and surprise charges once the patient arrives for treatment. These budget programs risk proper care by cutting corners which limits proper pre-procedure testing and the integrity of care a patient will receive. Also, promises of certain length of care, covered costs of medications, etc. come with contracted conditions that most patients would find impossible to comply with, so agreed upon terms could be voided. RDD Center feels it is necessary to be honest about the total cost of treatment and recognize that all patients should receive the best of care included in the price. The RDD Center has developed an affordable "all-inclusive" price with no surprises and no budget program cuts effecting the quality and safety of treatment and care. Our price of $8,700 includes the entire cost of the program with consistent quality care for each patient. Once you arrive at the airport, everything is provided. This includes all shuttle services/transportation, medication, pre and post exams, hospitalization, detoxification procedure, lodging, patient's choice of 3 delivery forms of naltrexone therapy, etc. The only additional charge would be if the patient was a certain age or condition and would be required to have a stress echocardiogram test given by our cardiologist at a cost of $310. Meals and movies rentals, etc. at the hotel are not included. This is RDD Center's promise to our patients; there are no hidden or additional charges or added taxes whatsoever. RDD Center does not require a nonrefundable deposit prior to coming for treatment, nor do we discount for cash payment. We owe the same amount of taxes no matter how our patients pay for the procedure and do not encourage discounts for cash payments. Frankly, we think patients, and we would agree, find this offer a bit suspicious and quite unusual for a medical facility, although patients are welcome to pay with cash.

Pre-Procedure Exams and Testing

Some rapid detox programs will purposely use marketing tactics that mention certain tests that sound like a new medical breakthrough in diagnostic testing. This leads the patient to believe that the extreme cost of the program is well worth it because they will receive tests such as Brains Scans, Brain Chemistry Testing and Neurotransmitter Testing, when in fact no such tests are actually performed once the patient arrives. The credibility of these tests even if they were performed, is proof they are of no value. Mention of such tests misleads the addicted patient into the false hope that these tests will lead to a treatment to "fix their brain" and correct a person's drug seeking behavior. We encourage you to read the facts about these tests on our website. Also, we feel that falsely diagnosing patients with ADD, Bipolar, etc. just because a patient has a drug addiction and feels hopeless and depressed is ridiculous. We feel those disorders are highly over diagnosed by doctors not competent to make such claims. The RDD Center provides a comprehensive physical and complete medical evaluation by our "Board Certified" Internal Medicine physician; Dr. Edith Nemeth M.D. Pre-exams include all the necessary medical tests and psychological testing by Dr. Gary Guenther Ph.D. Psychologist, to ensure the patient is a good candidate for the treatment. Patients of a certain age or if deemed necessary will be evaluated by one of our 6 cardiologists, which will include a stress echocardiogram. The RDD Center will never mislead a patient by mentioning unwarranted mental conditions and useless tests to impress and fool the average person that does not have the medical knowledge to know the difference.

Follow-Up Care

Other rapid detox programs may not have knowledgeable medical staff immediately available at all times. The RDD Center makes available to the patient or family members immediate access at all times for consultation and medical guidance with our head nurse and experienced staff. Dr. Nemeth will continue to monitor and cover all patients for at least 30 days once the patient returns home. Patients requesting assistance for a benzodiazepine addiction will be gradually "weaned down" in doses and will require more time for coverage. We encourage calls should there be any questions or concerns, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Our years of experience and vast medical knowledge about rapid detox patients, assures the patient that we can answer all your questions and give excellent medical guidance. Your calls never go unanswered with long waits for a call back. If we are on other calls, we will take a message and call you back promptly. Our compassionate care and concern starts with your first call and continues long after your treatment.