Washington State needs a better opioid treatment than rapid detox, as this procedure is associated with a high risk of relapse and medical complications, some of which can be life-threatening. As opioid-related deaths among Washingtonians continue to rise, the state is in dire need of safe and effective opioid dependence treatment. Sadly, rapid detox doesn’t solve the problem.
Keep reading to learn more about this controversial procedure and find out why the ultra-modern ANR treatment is a much better option for opioid-dependent Washingtonians.
Why Patients in Washington State Are Choosing Rapid Detox?

Patients in Washington State are choosing rapid detox because it gives them hope of conquering opioid dependence quickly and painlessly. Others opt for this procedure due to limited knowledge; some people simply aren’t informed about the risks of rapid detox or aware that there are better options available.
Let’s take a closer look at rapid detox in Washington State by exploring the key reasons why opioid-dependent people opt for it:
#1. Quick Fix Appeal
Speed is undeniably the main selling point of rapid detox. This procedure speeds up the detoxification process by triggering precipitated withdrawal symptoms.
Also known as ultra-rapid opioid detox (UROD) and anesthesia-assisted rapid opiate detox (AAROD), rapid detox condenses the opioid withdrawal process into several hours. Many clinics offering this procedure claim it can cure opioid addiction overnight, help you get off opioids within 24 hours, etc., making it appealing for those hoping for a quick fix for opioid dependence.
#2. Fear of Uncomfortable Opioid Withdrawal
Many opioid-dependent people keep taking opioids just to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. For those fearing uncomfortable opioid withdrawal, rapid detox may seem like a godsend, as clinics performing this procedure promise a painless recovery.
This medical procedure is done under anesthesia, which is supposed to reduce the severity of opioid withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, rapid detox clinics often promise much more than they can deliver, and it’s not uncommon for patients to wake up with intense withdrawal symptoms.
#3. Limited Information on Opioid Dependence Treatments
Some Washingtonians choose rapid detox because they don’t know there are better opioid dependence treatments or aren’t informed about the dangers of this procedure.
After all, most rapid detox clinics in Washington State and nationwide put a great deal of effort and resources into advertising their services. They downplay the risks of rapid detox, including the high incidence of relapse and medical complications, and mislead people into thinking that it’s significantly safer and more effective than it truly is.
Learning more about opioid dependence and how it develops is critical to choosing the right treatment. To achieve lasting recovery, it is essential to address the root of the problem rather than treat its symptoms. Rapid detox, however, does not achieve this.
With this in mind, let’s discuss why Washington State needs a better opioid treatment than rapid detox.
Why Washington State Needs Better Opioid Treatment Than Rapid Detox

Here’s why Washington State needs a better opioid treatment than rapid detox:
#1. Rapid Detox Doesn’t Address the Root Cause of OUD
Rapid detox isn’t a comprehensive treatment for opioid dependence because it doesn’t address the root cause of the disease.
Opioid dependence results from opioid-induced changes in the central nervous system (CNS), which is why anyone, including those who don’t abuse opioids, can develop it. Prolonged opioid exposure causes a decrease in endorphin production and an increase in opioid receptors, leading to tolerance and eventual dependence.
While some clinics present rapid detox as a complete treatment and others as the first step of a broader opioid treatment program, the truth is that you’ll remain dependent on opioids until the opioid-induced neurochemical imbalance is fixed.
Nonetheless, traditional treatments fail to acknowledge the root of opioid dependence, let alone address it. This applies to rapid detox, too, as it merely flushes opioids out of the system, which isn’t enough to restore normal brain function.
#2. Washington’s Ongoing Fentanyl Crisis
Fueled by fentanyl, the third wave of the opioid epidemic continues to claim thousands of lives across the United States. Washington State, where overdose rates involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids increased by nearly 670% between the first quarter of 2019 and that of 2023, is not an exception.
Expanding access to safe and effective opioid dependence treatment is critical to addressing the ongoing opioid crisis. This is precisely why Washington State needs a better opioid treatment than rapid detox, a controversial procedure that is both dangerous and ineffective.
#3. Risk of Medical Complications
Rapid detox can cause various medical complications, including life-threatening ones, such as aspiration pneumonia and cardiac arrest.
New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University researchers found that anesthesia-assisted rapid heroin detoxification is associated with three potentially life-threatening adverse events: pulmonary edema, mixed bipolar state with suicidal ideation, and diabetic ketoacidosis.
People with pre-existing physical or mental health conditions face a higher risk of complications following rapid detoxification. Tragically, some cases have resulted in death as a result of this procedure.
#4. Lack of Standardization
Rapid detox lacks standardization. This, coupled with the fact that its safety and effectiveness are yet to be proven scientifically, is why most healthcare organizations, including the California Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM), advise against it.
Since rapid detoxification isn’t standardized, each facility has a different way of performing it. Some variables that may differ between treatment centers, impacting the effectiveness of the procedure and patient safety, include:
- The types of medications used and their route of administration
- The timing since the last opioid use
- The level of respiratory support
- The duration of the procedure
- The degree of sedation
- Staff expertise and education
- Availability of support departments and services
#5. High Relapse Rate
The main reason why Washington State needs a better opioid treatment than rapid detox is that it exposes patients to a high risk of relapse and overdose because it doesn’t address the underlying causes of opioid dependence.
A six-month follow-up study of UROD by Semnan University of Medical Sciences researchers found that 75% of study participants relapsed within the first month after undergoing this procedure.
Since detoxification lowers your tolerance to opioids, resuming opioid use considerably increases the risk of an opioid overdose, which can be deadly without prompt medical help.
Luckily, there is a significantly safer option for OUD treatment than rapid detox in Washington State. The best thing you can do for yourself or a loved one struggling with opioid dependence is to opt for Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR), an ultra-modern treatment developed by Dr. Andre Waismann.
ANR Treatment: A Better Option Than Rapid Detox in Washington State

ANR treatment is a substantially better option than rapid detox in Washington State because it eradicates opioid dependence at its root by reversing the damage caused by long-term opioid use.
Specifically, it modulates the opioid-receptor system to decrease receptor production and restart that of endorphins. After completing the treatment, you can forget about cravings and withdrawal symptoms; ANR eliminates them together with opioid dependence.
ANR vs. Rapid Detox
The key difference between ANR and rapid detox lies in the fact that the latter doesn’t have a defined therapeutic goal and endpoint.
Meanwhile, the therapeutic goal of ANR is encoded in its name: this treatment re-regulates the endorphin-opioid receptor system to its original state, achieving neuro-equilibrium. In doing so, it sets patients free from cravings and the fear of relapse.
Most importantly, ANR is scientifically proven to be safe. Designed with patient safety in mind, it is always carried out in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals, utilizing state-of-the-art medical equipment, by a team of board-certified healthcare professionals.
Who Can Undergo ANR Treatment?
Almost anyone battling opioid dependence can undergo ANR treatment. At ANR Clinic, each patient receives a personalized treatment plan tailored to their unique medical history and specific needs. As such, this treatment can be safely performed on most people, including those with complex health conditions.
How Can You Access ANR Treatment in Washington State
You can access ANR treatment in Washington State by traveling to Florida. Our treatment center is located in Arcadia, Florida, at the DeSoto Memorial Hospital, equipped with a dedicated unit for ANR.
Although ANR treatment isn’t available in Washington State, this shouldn’t deter you from undergoing it.
We’ve helped nearly 25,000 people worldwide break free from opioid dependence and reclaim lasting health and stability. With ANR Clinic, you won’t have to spend weeks or months in rehab; our treatment can help you return to an opioid-free life within a matter of days.
Additionally, there aren’t many rapid detox clinics in Washington State, so most Washingtonians seek treatment out of state. If traveling is already part of your plan, consider choosing ANR treatment instead; it’s the first and only treatment that targets the neurochemical causes of opioid dependence, promoting lasting success.
To learn more about ANR, contact us today for a free, no-obligation 100% confidential consultation.
Key Takeaways
We hope this article has helped you gain a deeper understanding of why Washington State needs better opioid treatment than rapid detox, and why this procedure is generally considered controversial.
Here’s a summary of the key points we covered today:
- Patients in Washington State typically choose rapid detox because they believe it’s a quick and painless way to overcome opioid dependence.
- Washington State needs a better opioid treatment than rapid detox, as this controversial procedure lacks standardization and doesn’t address the root of OUD, resulting in a high relapse rate.
- ANR is a highly safe and effective opioid dependence treatment that will maximize your chances of lifelong success by rebalancing your endorphin-opioid receptor system.
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