How can medication help with addiction treatment?
The problematic aspects of treatment can be eased by medication. This will allow those who are in recovery to stay sober.
Certain medications can mimic addictive drug effects, which help relieve withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Inpatient and outpatient rehab programs may prescribe medication for addiction treatment. To ensure that people with substance use disorders (SUDs) can live sober lives, doctors may adjust medication dosage.
Drug withdrawal and detox
The body must eliminate all drugs during the first stages of recovery. This is known as the detox period. During detox, former drug users experience many uncomfortable symptoms. These symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Muscle pain
- Sweating
It can be fatal to detox from alcohol or Benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax. While withdrawal from other drugs isn’t always dangerous, complications can still occur. Safety and success during detoxification can be ensured by supervised detox assistance.
Alcohol Addiction Treatments
Long-term alcohol abuse can cause withdrawal symptoms that last from weeks to months. This is known as prolonged or post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Maintenance therapy is a treatment that can help relieve PAWS. In addition, it may curb cravings and make it more challenging to consume alcohol.
The following medications can be used to treat alcohol addiction:
- Naltrexone (Vivitrol).
Naltrexone blocks the brain’s receptors that produce alcohol’s pleasure effects. - Acamprosate (Campral)
This medication helps relieve the emotional and physical distress that can be caused by alcohol addiction. - Disulfiram (Antabuse).
Side effects of Disulfiram can include nausea and vomiting if a person takes Disulfiram. Disulfiram users should not drink if they feel sick.
Heroin and Opiate Addiction Treatments
Heroin treatment and Opiate medication can be used to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The long-term replacement medication can be used to stop cravings and PAWS. Ex-users can usually continue to take their medications as long as needed.
These are the addiction medications for Heroin or Painkillers:
- Methadone
Methadone works by binding to the brain’s same receptors as Heroin or Painkillers. However, Methadone does not get you high. This helps to suppress cravings and withdrawal symptoms. - Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
Buprenorphine is similar to Methadone, but it is more closely controlled because of the lower addiction potential. - Naltrexone
Naltrexone is the same drug that works for Opiate addiction and alcohol addiction. It reduces the desire to use.
Rehab and Supervised Detox
Some people opt to detox on their terms. This can be more difficult and dangerous than detoxing with a professional. Supervised detox is the best method to get sober in a safe and comfortable environment. Supervised detox is a must for anyone addicted to alcohol or Benzos.
