Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine

Introduction: Anesthesia-assisted rapid opioid detoxification (AAROD) is a controversial method of treating opioid dependence that involves sedating patients during a period of provoked withdrawal. Reported adverse outcomes of the procedure demonstrate the importance of recognizing the potential complications of AAROD.

Case Presentation: We present a case of a 41-year-old male presenting with a subarachnoid hemorrhage following an AAROD procedure.

Conclusion: This case report and discussion reviews the pathophysiology of opioid withdrawal syndrome, potential complications following AAROD, and important management considerations.