Medications Used During Medical Alcohol Detox
Medical detox is a crucial first step towards recovery for those struggling with alcohol addiction. This kind of detox is characterized by round-the-clock monitoring and support to ensure safety and security.
Before beginning the detox process, the detox patients must take care to clean their schedules. They should also remove all alcohol from their homes. They should also eat nutritious meals to supply the body with the proper nutrients during this period.
Medications
Medical detox is a safe method to eliminate harmful substances from your body under the supervision of a skilled team of medical experts. This team is typically made consisting of nurses, doctors and therapists. However some facilities employ advanced practice staff such as nurse practitioners or physician's assistants. Medical detox is a treatment for a variety of addictions like opioid and alcohol disorder.
In the detox phase, medications are often administered to help manage your withdrawal symptoms and cravings for alcohol or drugs. Not all patients require medication however they can help make detoxing easier and more comfortable for certain.
One of the most commonly prescribed medications during an alcohol detox is benzodiazepines. These are sedatives which can be consumed orally and intravenously. Chlordiazepoxide, also known as Valium and Lirium are the most commonly used benzodiazepines. These medications can be administered for up to three days or on a regular basis.
Another drug that is commonly used to help with detoxification for alcohol is the drug naltrexone. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain and inhibits the high feeling that you feel from morphine, heroin or other painkillers. Naltrexone can be consumed in pill form or injectable.
Your physician or nurses could also prescribe antipsychotic medications during your detox if you have certain underlying psychiatric issues. These medications can reduce and control symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations, delusions or hearing voices.
Inpatient or Outpatient
Inpatient treatment is necessary for those suffering from a serious alcohol addiction. Inpatient treatment is offered in a rehab facility and lets you focus on your recovery. Inpatient programs generally run for thirty, sixty or ninety-days. In this time you'll be in a medical facility and be closely monitored by medical professionals round the clock.
You'll be cut off from your family, friends working, and other activities while in the hospital It is crucial to prepare for this type of treatment. Be sure to have your finances in order and you'll be able to manage your children or other obligations before your start date. Inpatient care can be more expensive than outpatient.
Outpatient treatment is less restrictive and is a good option for those suffering from mild addictions that have stable homes or work/school schedules. Outpatient treatment may include partial hospitalization or day treatment. These programs require a certain amount of time per week in a rehab or hospital. Continuing care groups may be outpatient treatments, but they are more flexible.
You can select between inpatient and outpatient treatment depending on your specific situation. The best treatment option for you will depend upon the severity of your addiction and whether or not it is accompanied by mental health issues. A professional can assist you determine what degree of care and treatment is the best for your recovery.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines can be used to reduce withdrawal symptoms in treatment for alcohol. These drugs calm the central nervous system and are utilized to treat anxiety and insomnia. They are prescribed as either short-acting or long-acting during detoxification for medical reasons. It is vital to keep in mind that benzodiazepines are dangerous when used in conjunction with other medications. They may even cause death if not monitored and treated correctly. For instance, they could be harmful when combined with opioid pain medication like oxycodone and hydrocodone and can cause a fatal reaction known as benzodiazepine intoxication if mixed with other depressants.
Benzodiazepines can be very effective in alleviating withdrawal symptoms associated with the process of detoxification from alcohol and can be administered both in outpatient and inpatient settings. They can lessen the intensity and frequency of withdrawal symptoms, and can also help prevent alcohol withdrawal seizures. These seizures are believed to occur in 1 to 4 percent (Schuckit, 1995) of those quitting alcohol. There are a variety of benzodiazepines. These include short-acting drugs like alprazolam and Clobazam, intermediate-acting medications like diazepam and clorazepate, as well as long-acting drugs such as flurazepam and chlordiazepoxide. It is recommended that benzodiazepine should be utilized in withdrawal from alcohol using symptom-triggered therapy. This makes it more difficult for the buildup of drug and toxic effects to take place.
Anticonvulsants
Acamprosate is a part of a complete treatment program that helps people remain in recovery. The medication has been proven to reduce alcohol cravings and has been associated with longer periods without drinking. It also aids in reducing withdrawal symptoms. It's usually started after the person has finished detox, but some begin Acamprosate while in detox based upon their provider's recommendation.
Anticonvulsants are medications that perform different functions to stop seizures by regulating brain signals. These medications are prescribed by doctors and can include valproic acid (Depakene) and carbamazepine (Tegretol) and Phenobarbital. Long-term use of these medications can cause liver damage, which is why it is important to have regular blood tests to check for liver damage. These medicines can also decrease the amount of platelets present in your blood, making it harder for your body to clot. Pregnant women should not take valproic acid as it can increase the chance of birth defects or harm a unborn baby.
Anticonvulsant medications are also used to treat anxiety, depression and sleep disorders such as insomnia. They are very effective at treating mental health issues because they regulate the imbalances of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and Melatonin. They are sometimes used in lieu of benzodiazepines in cases where the patient is resistant to benzodiazepines. They can be used to treat a chronic alcohol use disorder in combination with other treatments like motivational interviews.
Antipsychotics
Certain people experience extreme withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations and delirium if they quit drinking alcohol on a regular basis. The medicines that are prescribed during medical withdrawal can ease these symptoms and also prevent other serious issues like heart palpitations and seizures. These drugs can also help keep the body's chemicals in equilibrium during the detox process, which lowers the chance of relapse as well as other problems.
Alcohol detox typically takes place in a rehab center for inpatients, where you'll receive 24/7 support while the process takes place. Inpatient detox programs combine medical drug addiction treatment and detox. This means that you'll begin your recovery by receiving care for your alcohol dependence disorder, as well as for the dependence you have on drugs or alcohol. This combination of treatment with detox is called MAT (medication-assisted therapy). In MAT, you'll probably use antidepressants such as SSRIs or sedatives like benzodiazepines to manage your cravings. You may also use medications to treat your withdrawal symptoms, such as clonidine or propranolol.
Studies have found that MAT is as effective in 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 have the same levels of sobriety as inpatients. The type of treatment you choose to use should not be a factor in your recovery. In one study, a significant number of patients had their detox completed in an inpatient facility compared to an outpatient setting.
Relapse Prevention
If a person is detoxing medically from alcohol, relapse prevention programs will be recommended. alcohol detox center is a series of steps that help the person to gain knowledge about the root of their addiction, and also how to manage any triggers that may cause them to turn to alcohol as a means of coping. This could include identifying what is the most important to the person in their recovery, for example, maintaining an occupation, maintaining healthy relationships and meeting obligations.
During this process the individual will learn to recognize any negative feelings that may arise, such stress or boredom. These feelings are often the ones that lead to substance use. They will also be urged to identify any people or places that could cause cravings, like parties or family gatherings where alcohol might be present. This information will be used to devise a plan that helps them remain sober in these scenarios.
This strategy usually consists of the use of a variety of strategies. This includes identifying distractions, preparing an escape strategy in case the urge to drink becomes too strong, and learning ways to cope, such as taking a walk, or breathing techniques to lessen anxiety. In some instances people will be referred to a drug rehab following detoxification to continue treatment and to learn these strategies.