Why can’t we put people who are struggling with addiction in a coma for the physical withdrawal symptoms?
I know that they still have to go through the mental aspect of coming clean, but can’t we lessen the suffering by putting them in a coma for 30 days until everything is out of their system? From my understanding, it takes 21 days to make or break a habit.
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A medical coma is not something to be undertaken lightly. Medically induced comas are used for brain surgery or in cases of traumatic brain injury where the patient will die if they can’t slow the brain function down to buy time.
The patient is given specific drugs (barbituates or benzodiazepines, both of which carry their own side effects and potential addiction and overdose risks) in order to slow their brain function down to the point where they cannot remain conscious. Recovery from the coma is also risky, as permanent cognitive impairment may result.
If your concern is simply about drug addiction, you would not introduce another addictive substance into the mix or risk much more severe complications.
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