Could drug addicts be put into a medicine induced coma until their body no longer craves the drug?

Answer 1

It can be and is done, in combination with narcotic antagonists, and is said to provide a complete detox in a very short time. It is called Ultra Rapid Opiate Detoxification (UROD). However, as always, there is no free lunch.

First of all, the procedure is done under general anesthesia. This is a major medical procedure, dangerous in itself when used unnecessarily -- and especially so when used in conjunction with opiate intoxication. There is a lengthy recovery period ranging from 6 hours to 2 days, during which the patient must be closely monitored by specially-trained staff.

In addition to the risk of general anesthesia and the recovery period, not much is known about the stresses that UROD puts on a body that has already been weakened by the addiction. The anesthesia stops the patient from consciously suffering the effects of the detox, but it is still severe. This is a further opportunity for problems to develop. Many patients have died during UROD. It is far more dangerous than traditional detox.

Patients are not provided with follow-up care, and do not receive any of the tools necessary to help them maintain long-term sobriety. One of the reasons for that is that, while legal, UROD is thoroughly discredited among addiction professionals, and reputable practitioners want nothing to do with it.

People who relapse after UROD are far more likely to overdose due to drastically reduced tolerance for the drug.

Finally, UROD costs $15,000 and up, and it is not recognized as a viable treatment method by most insurance companies. Very few will pay for it.

All in all, an expensive, lousy idea.