Medications Used During Medical Alcohol Detox
Medical alcohol detox is an essential first step towards recovery for people struggling with alcohol addiction. This kind of detox offers round-the-clock support and monitoring to ensure security.
home detox alcohol should take care to clear their schedules and eliminate alcohol from their homes prior to beginning their detox. They should also follow a healthy diet during this time to supply the body with the necessary nutrients.
Medicines
Medical detox is a secure method of eliminating toxic substances from your body under the supervision of an experienced team of medical experts. The team is usually made consisting of nurses, doctors and therapists. However certain facilities employ advanced practice personnel like nurse practitioners or physician's assistants. Medical detox can treat many addictions, such as opioid and alcohol use disorder.
During the withdrawal phase, you may be prescribed medications to control your withdrawal symptoms, or cravings for alcohol or other drugs. The use of medications is not required for every patient but for certain individuals they can make the process of detox more comfortable and less painful.
Benzodiazepines are one of the most common medications prescribed during an alcohol detox. These are sedatives that can be taken 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.
Naltrexone is a different medication that can be used to help detoxify alcohol. This medication binds to the opioid receptors in the brain and reduces the feeling of high that you feel from morphine, heroin or other painkillers. Naltrexone is available in the form of an injection or pill.
If you have any underlying or co-occurring mental health issues, your doctor or nurses may prescribe antipsychotic medication during detox. These medications can help to reduce and manage psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, delusions or hearing voices.
Inpatient or Outpatient
If you are suffering from a serious addiction to alcohol, inpatient treatment could be necessary. Inpatient treatment can be found in a rehab facility and lets you focus on your recovery. Inpatient programs are typically run for thirty or sixty days. During this time you'll stay in a center for treatment and be closely monitored by medical professionals around the clock.
You'll be separated from your loved ones, family as well as work and other pursuits while in the hospital, so it's important to prepare for this kind of treatment. Before your start date make sure that you have care for your children or other responsibilities as well as that your finances are in good order. Inpatient treatment is typically more expensive than outpatient care.
Outpatient treatment is more flexible and is a good option for people with mild addictions who have stable homes or school/work schedules. Outpatient treatment may include a partial hospitalization or day treatment. These programs require a specific amount of time each week at a hospital or rehab clinic. Continuing care groups are also outpatient treatment options and are more flexible.
Based on the circumstances depending on your situation, you can select either inpatient or outpatient treatment for your addiction to alcohol. The best treatment option for you will depend on the degree of your addiction to alcohol, as well as whether or not it's caused by mental health issues. A professional will be able to help you determine the level of care you require and what type of program will be most beneficial for your recovery journey.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines can help lessen withdrawal symptoms associated with treatment for alcohol. These medications calm the central nervous system and are used to treat anxiety and insomnia. They are prescribed as short-acting and longer-acting during detoxification for medical reasons. It is important to know that benzodiazepines are dangerous when used in conjunction with certain medications and may even cause death if not controlled and treated properly. They may, for instance can interact negatively with opioid pain medications like oxycodone or hydrocodone. They can also cause a fatal reaction known as benzodiazepine toxicity when mixed with depressants.
Benzodiazepines can be used in both an inpatient and an outpatient setting to reduce withdrawal symptoms. They can lessen the intensity and frequency of withdrawal symptoms, and also stop the occurrence of alcohol withdrawal seizures. These seizures are believed to occur in between 1 and 4 percent (Schuckit, 1995) of people who are abstinence from alcohol. There are many kinds of benzodiazepines that are available in the market, including short-acting ones like alprazolam (Xanax) and clobazam (Onfi, Sympazan), intermediate-acting drugs such as diazepam (Valium) and Clorazepate (Tranxene), and long-acting substances like chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and flurazepam (Dalmane). It is recommended that benzodiazepine be used during withdrawal from alcohol with treatment that is triggered by symptoms. This makes it harder for the buildup of drug and toxic effects to take place.
Anticonvulsants
Acamprosate is one of the medications used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that helps people remain in recovery. This medication can lessen the desire for alcohol and is linked with longer periods of abstinence. It also helps with withdrawal symptoms. It's typically started after a person finishes detox, but some individuals begin Acamprosate while in detox, based on their provider's recommendation.
Anticonvulsants are medications that perform different functions to stop seizures by regulating brain signals. These drugs are prescribed by a doctor and can include valproic acid (Depakene) as well as carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenobarbital. They may cause liver damage when used for a long time, so it is important to get regular blood tests to keep track of this. These medications can also decrease the number of platelets in your blood, which makes it harder for your body to make clots. Women who are pregnant should not take valproic acid as it can increase the risk of birth defects or harm a unborn baby.
Anticonvulsant medications are also used to treat anxiety and depression and sleep disorders like insomnia. They can be extremely effective in treating a variety of mental health problems because they regulate chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. They are sometimes used in lieu of benzodiazepines in cases where the patient is resistant to benzodiazepines. They are used to treat chronic alcohol abuse disorder in combination with other treatments, such as motivational interviews.
Antipsychotics
Some sufferers have extreme withdrawal symptoms, such as hallucinations or delirium if they try to quit drinking on their own. Medications used during medical alcohol detox can reduce these symptoms, as well as help prevent other serious issues like seizures and heart palpitations. These drugs can also help maintain the body's balance of chemicals during the detoxification process, which reduces the chance of relapse and other problems.
The process of detoxing from alcohol is usually carried out in a rehab center where you will receive care 24/7 throughout the process. Inpatient detox programs often include medical treatment for addiction and detoxification, meaning that you'll begin the process of recovery by receiving treatment for your alcohol-related disorder as well as the dependence you have on drugs or alcohol. This combination of treatment and detox is called MAT (medication-assisted therapy). During MAT, you'll likely take antidepressants like SSRIs or sedatives such as benzodiazepines to manage your cravings. You may also use an medication to treat withdrawal symptoms, like clonidine or propranolol.
Studies have found that MAT is as effective for treating alcohol dependence as it is for other drugs like opioids and benzodiazepines. Studies have found that outpatients who receive MAT treatment achieve the same level of sobriety as inpatients. The treatment method you choose to use should not be the sole factor in your recovery. In one study, significantly more people completed detox in an inpatient setting than in an outpatient setting.
Relapse Prevention
If someone is medically detoxing from alcohol and other drugs, relapse prevention programs should be encouraged. This program assists the person to understand their addiction and how to manage any triggers that could lead them into drinking alcohol to cope. This could include identifying the elements that are most important to them during their recovery like keeping their job and maintaining healthy relationships, completing their the requirements of their job and working towards personal goals.
In this course it is taught to recognize any negative emotions that might be triggered, such as boredom or stress that can cause an increase in the use of substances. They will also be taught to pinpoint any persons or places that might induce cravings, such as parties or family gatherings where alcohol might be present. This information will be used to develop a plan that helps them stay sober in these situations.
The plan is typically a combination of strategies, including finding distractions to focus on and having a plan of escape in case the urge drink becomes too strong, and learning coping strategies like walking or using breathing techniques to control anxiety. In some cases, a person will be referred to a drug rehab after detoxification to continue treatment and to learn these strategies.