Medications Used During Medical Alcohol Detox
Medical detox is an essential first step towards recovery for those struggling with alcohol addiction. This kind of detox is characterized by 24/7 monitoring and assistance to ensure safety and comfort.
Before beginning the detox, patients should take a step back and clear their schedules. They should also remove all alcohol from their homes. They should also consume a healthy diet during this time to supply the body essential nutrients.
Medicines
Medical detox is a secure method of eliminating toxic substances from your body under the supervision of a skilled team of medical professionals. The team is usually made up of physicians, nurses, and therapists. However, some facilities use advanced practice personnel like nurse practitioners or physician's assistants. Medical detox can treat a variety of addictions like opioid and alcohol disorder.
During the detox phase medications are often administered to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings for drugs or alcohol. Not all patients need medications however, they can make detoxing easier and more comfortable for some.
Benzodiazepines are one of the most frequently prescribed medications during an alcohol detox. These sedatives are available either orally or intravenously. Chlordiazepoxide, also known as Valium and Lirium are the most commonly used benzodiazepines. These drugs can be taken for up to 3 days or as long as.
Naltrexone is another drug that can be used to cleanse alcohol. It binds to the opioid receptors in your brain to block the high you get from Morphine, heroin or other painkillers. Naltrexone can be consumed in form of pills or in a injection.
If you have underlying or co-occurring mental health issues, your doctor or nurses might prescribe antipsychotic medications during detox. These medications can reduce and manage psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, delusions or hearing voices.
Inpatient or Outpatient
Inpatient treatment is necessary if you have a severe alcohol addiction. Inpatient treatment is offered in a rehab center and allows you to focus on your recovery. Inpatient programs are typically run for thirty or sixty days. During this time you will reside in a facility for treatment and be monitored round all hours by medical experts.
You'll be away from your family, friends as well as work and other pursuits while in the hospital, so it's important to prepare for this type of treatment. Before your start date make sure that you have care for your children and other responsibilities covered and that your finances are in good order. Inpatient care is more expensive than outpatient.
Outpatient treatment can be less restrictive for those who have mild addictions and stable schedules at work, home or school. Outpatient treatment may include partial hospitalization or day treatment. These programs require a specific amount of time each week at a hospital or rehab clinic. Continuing care groups may be outpatient treatments however they are more flexible.
You can select between inpatient and outpatient treatment based on the situation. The best treatment for you will depend upon the severity of your addiction and whether or not it's associated with mental health issues. A professional can assist you in determining the level of care you need and what type of program is most beneficial for your recovery.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are used to reduce withdrawal symptoms during the phase of detoxification in alcohol treatment. These medications help to soothe the central nervous system. They are also used to treat insomnia, anxiety and muscle spasms. They are prescribed as short-acting and longer-acting during detoxification for medical reasons. It is vital to keep in mind that benzodiazepines are dangerous when combined with certain drugs. They may even cause death if not properly monitored and treated. For example, they can interfere negatively with opioid pain medications such as oxycodone and hydrocodone and can cause fatal reactions known as benzodiazepine intoxication if mixed with other depressants.
Benzodiazepines are used in both an inpatient and an outpatient setting to reduce withdrawal symptoms. They can lessen the severity and frequency of withdrawal symptoms and also stop the occurrence of alcohol withdrawal seizures. These seizures are believed to occur in 1 to 4 percent (Schuckit 1995) of people who are withdrawing from alcohol. There are many types of benzodiazepines to choose from in the market, including short-acting ones like alprazolam (Xanax) and Clobazam (Onfi, Sympazan), intermediate-acting substances like diazepam (Valium) and clorazepate (Tranxene) as well as long-acting drugs such as chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and flurazepam (Dalmane). It is recommended that benzodiazepine is utilized in withdrawal from alcohol using symptom-triggered therapy. This makes it harder to build up the drug and toxic effects to occur.
Anticonvulsants
Acamprosate is utilized in a complete treatment program that helps people remain in recovery. This medication is known to lessen cravings for alcohol and has been linked to longer time periods without drinking. It also aids in withdrawal. It's usually taken after detoxification, but some people begin taking acamprosate while detoxifying based on the recommendation of their physician.
Anticonvulsants are medications that perform different functions to prevent seizures by controlling brain signals. These medications may be prescribed by a physician and include the valproic (Depakene), phenobarbital (Tegretol) and carbamazepine. The long-term use of these drugs can cause liver damage, so it is crucial to have regular blood tests to check for liver damage. These medications can also decrease the number of platelets in your blood, which makes it more difficult for your body to make clots. Pregnant women should not take the valproic acid since it can increase the risk of birth defects or harm to an unborn baby.
Anticonvulsant medicines are also used to treat anxiety, depression and sleep disorders such as insomnia. home detox from alcohol can be very effective in treating a variety of mental health issues because they regulate chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. They are sometimes used in lieu of benzodiazepines when the patient is not able to take benzodiazepines. They are also used in the treatment of chronic alcohol dependence disorder when paired with other therapies such as motivational interviewing.
Antipsychotics
Certain people experience extreme withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions when they stop drinking on their o ne. The medicines used during medical detox can help to reduce those symptoms, and avoid other serious complications such as seizures and heart palpitations. These drugs can also help maintain the body's chemical balance during the detoxification process, thus reducing the risk of relapse or other issues.
Alcohol detox typically takes place in a rehab center for inpatients which provides 24/7 assistance while the process takes place. Inpatient detox programs often combine medical drug addiction treatment with detox, so you'll begin your recovery by receiving treatment for your alcohol use disorder and your addiction to drugs or alcohol. This combination of treatment and detox is known as MAT (medication-assisted therapy). In MAT, you'll probably use antidepressants, such as SSRIs or sedatives like benzodiazepines to reduce your cravings. You could be prescribed a drug such as propranolol and Clonidine to treat withdrawal symptoms.
Research has found that MAT is just as effective for treating alcohol-related disorders as it is for other substances such as benzodiazepines and opioids. In fact, studies have found that outpatients who undergo MAT treatment achieve the same levels of sobriety as inpatients. However, the type of setting you choose for your detox program shouldn't be the deciding factor in your overall recovery. In one study, a large number of patients completed detoxification in an inpatient environment compared to an outpatient setting.
Relapse Prevention
When someone is medically detoxing from alcohol, relapse prevention programs will be recommended. This is a series of steps that help the individual to learn more about the underlying cause of their addiction, and how to handle any triggers that could lead them to use alcohol as a means of coping. This could include identifying what is the most important to the person in their recovery, such as keeping the job and maintaining healthy relationships, as well as meeting obligations.
During this process the individual will learn to recognize any negative feelings that might arise, such as boredom or stress. These emotions can often cause a person to use substances. They will be encouraged to pinpoint places or people which may trigger cravings like family gatherings and gatherings where alcohol is consumed. This information will be used to develop an approach to help them stay sober in these circumstances.
The plan typically involves the use of a variety of strategies. These include finding distractions, preparing an escape strategy in case the urge for alcohol becomes too strong, and learning ways to cope, such as taking a walk or breathing techniques to ease anxiety. In certain instances, the individual will be directed to a rehab program following the detox process to keep their treatment going and to learn the strategies in a safe environment.