Medications Used During Medical Alcohol Detox
Medical detox is an essential first step to recovery for those struggling with alcohol addiction. This kind of detox provides round-the-clock monitoring and support to ensure safety and comfort.
Before beginning the detox, the detox patients must take care to clean their schedules. They should also get rid of all alcohol from their homes. They should also follow an appropriate diet to supply the body with the necessary nutrients during this time.
Medications
Medical detox is a safe way to eliminate toxic substances from your body while under the supervision of an experienced team of medical professionals. This team is typically made consisting of nurses, doctors, and therapists. However certain facilities employ advanced practice staff, such as nurse practitioners or physician's assistants. Medical detox is a method to treat a variety of addictions, including addiction to opioids and alcohol.
In the detox phase, drugs are usually administered to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings for alcohol or drugs. Not all patients require medication however, they can help make detoxing easier and more comfortable for some.
Benzodiazepines are one of the most frequently prescribed medications during an alcohol detox. These sedatives can be administered intravenously or orally. Chlordiazepoxide is also known as Valium and Lirium, are the most common benzodiazepines. These medications can be used for up to three days, or on an as-needed basis.
Another medication that is sometimes used in detox for alcohol is the drug naltrexone. It binds to the opioid receptors of your brain to inhibit the high you get from heroin, Morphine or other painkillers. Naltrexone is available in form of pills or in a injection.
Your physician or nurses could prescribe antipsychotic medication during your detox process if you are suffering from certain underlying psychiatric issues. These medications can decrease and manage psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, or hearing voices.
Inpatient or Outpatient
Inpatient treatment is required for those suffering from a serious alcohol addiction. Inpatient treatment takes place at a rehab facility and provides the opportunity to concentrate on your recovery. Inpatient programs generally last thirty, sixty, or ninety days. In this period you'll stay in a treatment center and be closely monitored by medical professionals around the clock.
You'll be away from family, friends working, and other activities while in hospital treatment It is crucial to prepare for this type of treatment. Be sure to have your finances in order and that you can manage your children or other obligations prior to your scheduled start date. Inpatient treatment is often more expensive than outpatient treatments.
Outpatient treatment is less limiting and is a great option for those with mild addictions that have stable homes or work/school schedules. Outpatient treatment could include partial hospitalization or day treatment. These programs require a certain amount of time per week at a rehab or hospital. The continuing care groups are outpatient programs and are more flexible.
You can choose between inpatient or outpatient treatment depending on your situation. The best choice for you will depend on the extent of your addiction as well as whether it's associated with other mental health issues or co-occurring disorders. A professional can assist you determine what degree of care and program is best for your recovery.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are widely used to help reduce withdrawal symptoms during the phase of detoxification in alcohol treatment. These medications relax the central nervous system and are utilized to treat insomnia and anxiety. When detoxing from medical alcohol they are prescribed in either short-acting or longer-acting forms. It is important to know that benzodiazepines may be harmful when taken with certain medications and may even cause death if they are not monitored and treated properly. For instance, they may interact negatively with opioid pain medication like oxycodone and hydrocodone and can cause fatal reactions known as benzodiazepine-induced intoxication when combined with other depressants.
Benzodiazepines are very effective at decreasing withdrawal symptoms in the process of detoxification from alcohol and are available in both inpatient and outpatient settings. They can aid in reducing the severity of withdrawal symptoms as well as prevent alcohol withdrawal seizures that occur in a range of 1 to 4 percent of people who have stopped drinking from alcohol (Schuckit 1995). There are many kinds of benzodiazepines that are available, including short-acting drugs such as alprazolam (Xanax) and Clobazam (Onfi, Sympazan), intermediate-acting drugs like diazepam (Valium) and clorazepate (Tranxene), and long-acting substances like chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and flurazepam (Dalmane). The therapy that is triggered by symptoms is typically preferred for benzodiazepine usage in alcohol withdrawal patients because it makes it difficult for the drug to accumulate and become toxic.
Anticonvulsants
Acamprosate is a part of an extensive treatment program that helps people remain in recovery. This medication can lessen the desire for alcohol and is linked with longer periods of abstinence from drinking. It also aids in reducing withdrawal symptoms. It's usually taken following detoxification, however some people begin taking acamprosate in the course of detoxification in accordance with the advice of their provider.
Anticonvulsants are drugs that are used in a variety of ways to stop seizures by regulating brain signals. These medications are often prescribed by a physician, and include the drugs valproic (Depakene) and phenobarbital (Tegretol), and carbamazepine. They could cause liver damage if long-term, so it's crucial to get regular blood tests to monitor this. These medications can also reduce the amount of blood platelets and make it harder for you to make clots. Valproic acid shouldn't be taken by women who are pregnant since it increases the chance of birth defect or harm to an unborn child.
Anticonvulsant medicines are also used to treat anxiety and depression, as well as sleep disorders such as insomnia. They are very effective at treating mental health conditions, because they balance the imbalances of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and Melatonin. They can be 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 like motivational interviews.
Antipsychotics
Some people experience extreme withdrawals symptoms like hallucinations and dizziness when they stop drinking alcohol for a long time. Medications used during medical alcohol detox can help to reduce those symptoms, and also avoid other serious complications such as seizures and heart palpitations. These drugs can also help keep the body's chemical levels in equilibrium during the detox process, which reduces the chance of relapse and other problems.
Alcohol detox is usually done in a rehab center where you will receive care all day long throughout the process. Inpatient detox programs offer medical treatment for addiction and detox. This means that you will start your recovery by receiving treatment for your alcohol dependence disorder as well as your dependency on drugs or alcohol. This combination of detox and treatment is referred to as MAT (medication assisted therapy). In MAT, you'll probably take antidepressants like SSRIs or sedatives like benzodiazepines in order to reduce your cravings. You can also use a medication to treat your withdrawal symptoms, like propranolol or clonidine.
Research has proven that MAT can be just as effective in treating alcohol use disorder, like other substances such as opioids and benzodiazepines. In fact, studies have shown that outpatients who receive MAT treatment have the same sobriety rates as inpatients. However, the setting you choose for your detox program shouldn't be the sole determinant in your overall recovery. In one study, more patients completed detox in an inpatient facility than in an outpatient setting.
Relapse Prevention
When a person is being medically detoxed from alcohol, they will be encouraged to participate in programs to prevent relapse. This program helps the individual to understand their addiction and how to handle any triggers which could lead them into drinking alcohol to ease their suffering. This could include identifying what are most important to them during their recovery including maintaining their job and establishing healthy relationships, fulfilling obligations and making progress towards personal goals.
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 cause a person to use substances. They will also be urged to identify any people or places that might trigger cravings, such as events or family gatherings at which alcohol is present. alcohol detox home will then be used to devise an approach to help them stay sober in these circumstances.
The plan is typically an amalgamation of strategies which include finding distractions to focus on and having a plan of escape in case the urge drink becomes too strong, and learning coping behaviors such as taking a walk or utilizing breathing techniques to control anxiety. In some cases individuals is directed to a rehabilitation program following the detox phase to continue their treatment and further develop the strategies in a safe environment.