AANA Journal course: update for nurse anesthetists-accelerated detoxification from opioid addiction under anesthesia: the Midas touch or the emperor's new clothes?
Opioids are highly addictive substances that include natural and synthetic chemicals that mimic the effects of morphine or bind to morphine receptor sites. Traditional assisted withdrawal is a process that takes several days to weeks and is associated with a host of painful and difficult symptoms. Recently, accelerated detoxification using opioid antagonists administered while the patient is anesthetized has been promoted, with centers proliferating nationwide. Published studies of rapid detoxification under anesthesia are highly variable in quality and control, and long-term outcome data are incomplete. Well-controlled, carefully designed studies are needed to appropriately assess the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the approach.
Kirsner
K
K
Anderson Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.
Biddle
C
C
D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D009719:Nurse Anesthetists; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors