Medications Used During Medical Alcohol Detox
Medical detox is a necessary first step to recovery for those struggling with alcohol addiction. This type of detox offers 24-hour monitoring and support to ensure safety and ease of use.
Patients should clear their schedules and remove alcohol from the home before beginning their detox. They should also eat an appropriate diet to supply the body with necessary nutrients during this period.
Medicines
Medical detox is a successful method of eliminating harmful substances from the body under the supervision of a group of highly skilled medical professionals. The team is typically comprised of doctors, nurses and therapists but some facilities employ advanced practice staff such as nurse practitioners or physician assistants. Medical detox is a treatment for many addictions, including alcohol and opioid use disorder.
During the withdrawal phase, you might be prescribed medications to control your withdrawal symptoms or cravings for alcohol or other drugs. Not all patients need medications however they can make detoxing easier and more comfortable for some.
Benzodiazepines are one of the most commonly prescribed medications during an alcohol detox. These sedatives can be administered either orally or intravenously. Chlordiazepoxide, also known as Valium and Lirium are the most well-known benzodiazepines. These drugs can be taken for up to three days, or on an as-needed basis.
Another drug that is commonly used to help with detoxification for alcohol is naltrexone. This medication binds to opioid receptors in your brain to block the high you get from heroin, Morphine or other painkillers. Naltrexone can be taken in pills or injectable.
Your physician or nurse may also prescribe antipsychotic medications during your detox process if you are suffering from certain co-occurring or underlying psychiatric issues. These medications can help reduce and control symptoms of psychosis like hallucinations, delusions, or hearing voices.
Inpatient or Outpatient
Inpatient treatment is essential for those suffering from a serious alcohol addiction. Inpatient treatment is provided in a rehab facility and lets you focus on your recovery. Inpatient programs are usually run for thirty or sixty days. During this time, you'll live in a treatment center and be closely monitored by medical professionals around all hours of the day.
Inpatient treatment can cut you off from your family, friends, job and other pursuits. It is important to be prepared for this type of situation. Before you start make sure that you have your children or other responsibilities taken care of and that your finances are in order. Inpatient care can be more expensive than outpatient.
Outpatient treatment can be less restrictive for those with mild addictions and stable schedules at work, home or school. Outpatient treatment can include a partial hospitalization or day treatment. These programs require a set amount of time each week at a rehabilitation clinic or in a hospital. The continuing care groups are outpatient programs and are more flexible.
Depending on the situation You can choose between inpatient or outpatient treatment for your alcohol dependence. The best option for you will depend on the extent of your addiction as well as whether it's accompanied by other mental health issues or co-occurring disorders. A professional can assist you determine what level of care and program is most suitable for your recovery.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are used to lessen withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol treatment. These drugs help calm the central nervous system. They can also be used to treat insomnia, anxiety and muscle spasms. When detoxing from medical alcohol, they can be prescribed in either short-acting or longer-acting forms. It is important to know that benzodiazepines are dangerous when combined with certain drugs and may even cause death if they are not monitored and treated properly. For instance, they may interact negatively with opioid pain medications like hydrocodone or oxycodone. They could also cause a fatal reaction known as benzodiazepine intoxication if mixed with other depressants.
Benzodiazepines can be very effective in decreasing withdrawal symptoms in the process of detoxification from alcohol and can be administered both in outpatient and inpatient settings. They can reduce the intensity and frequency of withdrawal symptoms, as well as stop the occurrence of alcohol withdrawal seizures. These seizures are believed to occur in between 1 and 4 percent (Schuckit, 1995) of those quitting alcohol. There are many types of benzodiazepines to choose from in the market, including short-acting ones such as alprazolam (Xanax) and clobazam (Onfi, Sympazan), intermediate-acting drugs such as diazepam (Valium) and Clorazepate (Tranxene) and long-acting drugs like chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and flurazepam (Dalmane). Symptom-triggered therapy is generally preferred for benzodiazepine use in patients suffering from alcohol withdrawal because it makes it harder for the drug to build up and become toxic.
Anticonvulsants
Acamprosate is used in a comprehensive treatment program designed to help people stay in recovery. This medication can lessen the desire for alcohol and is associated with longer periods of abstinence. It also assists with withdrawal symptoms. It is usually taken following detoxification, however some people start taking acamprosate while detoxifying based on the recommendation of their doctor.
Anticonvulsants function in a variety of ways by controlling brain signals to prevent seizures. These drugs are prescribed by physicians and could include valproic acids (Depakene), carbamazepine (Tegretol) and Phenobarbital. They may cause liver damage when taken long-term so it's important to get regular blood tests to keep track of this. These drugs can also reduce the amount of blood platelets and make it difficult to make clots. Valproic acid should not be used by women who are pregnant because it increases the risk of birth defects or harm to a child who is not born.
Anticonvulsant medicines are also used to treat anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders like insomnia. They are very effective at treating mental health problems because they balance the chemical imbalances in neurotransmitters such as dopamine and Melatonin. Sometimes, they are used to replace benzodiazepines if the patient is not responding. They can also be used for the treatment of chronic alcohol abuse disorder when combined with other therapies such as motivational interviewing.
Antipsychotics
Some people experience extreme withdrawals symptoms like hallucinations and delirium if they quit drinking alcohol on a regular basis. The medications used during medical alcohol detox can help to reduce those symptoms, as well as help prevent other serious issues like seizures and heart palpitations. These medications also help keep the body's chemical balance during the detoxification process, thus reducing the chance of relapse and other issues.
The process of detoxing from alcohol is usually carried out in an inpatient rehabilitation facility which provides 24/7 care during the process. Inpatient detox programs often include medical treatment for addiction with detox, which means you'll start the recovery process by receiving care for both your alcohol dependence disorder as well as your dependence on alcohol or drugs. This combination of detox and treatment is known as MAT (medication assisted therapy). During MAT, you'll likely use antidepressants such as SSRIs or sedatives like benzodiazepines to manage your cravings. You could also be prescribed a medication to treat your withdrawal symptoms, like propranolol or clonidine.
Research has shown that MAT is just as effective in treating alcohol dependence disorder, as it is with other substances such as benzodiazepines and opioids. In fact, studies have found that outpatients who undergo MAT treatment have the same rates of sobriety as inpatients. The kind of treatment you choose to use should not be a deciding element in your recovery. In one study, a significant number of patients had their detox completed in an inpatient environment compared to an outpatient setting.
Relapse Prevention
If a person is medically detoxing from alcohol , relapse prevention programs will be recommended. This is a set of steps that help the individual to learn more about the root cause of their addiction, and how to deal with any triggers that may cause them to drink as a means of coping. This could include identifying what's most important to the individual in their recovery, like keeping a job, maintaining healthy relationships and fulfilling obligations.
During this process, the individual will be taught to recognize any negative emotions that might be triggered, such as boredom or stress which could lead to substance abuse. They will be encouraged to recognize people or places that trigger cravings, such as family gatherings or gatherings where alcohol is consumed. This information will later be used to create an approach to help them stay sober in these circumstances.
The plan is typically comprised of a variety of strategies, which include finding distractions to focus on and having a plan of escape in case the urge drink gets too strong, and learning coping strategies like walking or utilizing breathing techniques to reduce anxiety. In some instances the person may be referred to a drug rehab following detoxification to continue treatment and to learn these strategies.