Going under general anesthesia is not an effective way for heroin users to avoid the painful, drawn-out process of breaking their habit and can be dangerous, a study said on Tuesday (August 23).
Publicised as a quick way to withdraw from heroin addiction, the $15,000 treatment involves making the user unconscious and rapidly administering an antagonist drug that neutralises heroin's effects.
The report said lung problems such as pneumonia and fluid build-up are a risk factor with general anesthesia. While the diabetic episode and bipolar case could have occurred with other detox approaches, the stress of rapidly administering the antagonist drug and from the awakening from anesthesia could have triggered the dangerous health problems.
A majority of the United States' estimated 1 million heroin addicts are not in treatment or leave treatment early, fearing the physical discomforts of withdrawal, the report said.