detoxification

Process whereby harmful substances are neutralized or eliminated. It occurs naturally, as a function of the liver, or is managed artificially by drugs or various medical techniques (for instance, dialysis) in the case of some ingested poisons.

Alternative medicine In alternative medicine, diet, herbs, massage, hydrotherapy, and exercise may be used to assist the body in expelling toxic material, resulting from overeating, drinking too little water, ingestion of drugs or other substances that are hard to assimilate, and the build-up of stress. Such diets emphasize natural fruit and vegetable juices, and raw and unprocessed food, and entail the elimination from the diet of added salt and sugar, alcohol, and food with chemical additives. Short fasts can be beneficial, under the guidance of a practitioner. Many therapists recommend a detoxification diet along with the treatment they offer, notably naturopaths and colonic therapists (see colonic irrigation).

Anaesthetic detoxification Anaesthetic detoxification is used to treat heroin addiction. Patients are anaesthetized before being injected with naloxone and naltrexone, which bind to the body's opium receptors and block heroin. They are extremely effective heroin antidotes but induce hallucinations, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Under anaesthetic these side effects are much reduced, and there is no opportunity for the patient to prevent withdrawal symptoms by taking heroin. Most patients are discharged within 24 hours but continue to take naltrexone. The treatment has a success rate of about 75% after four months.