Medications Used During Medical Alcohol Detox
Medical detoxification of alcohol is the initial step to recovery for those struggling with alcohol dependence. This kind of detox offers round-the-clock support and monitoring to ensure the safety of the patient.
Patients should take care to clear their schedules and remove alcohol from the home before starting their detox. They should also eat an appropriate diet to supply the body with necessary nutrients during this time.
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. This team is typically made consisting of nurses, doctors and therapists. However, some facilities use advanced practice staff such as physician's assistants or nurse practitioners. Medical detox is a treatment for various addictions, such as opioid and alcohol use disorder.
During the withdrawal phase, you may be prescribed medication to help manage your withdrawal symptoms or cravings for alcohol or other drugs. Not all patients need medications, but they can make detoxing more easy and more comfortable for some.
One of the most frequently prescribed medications during an alcohol detox is benzodiazepines. They are sedatives that can be taken orally and 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 needed.
Naltrexone is a different medication that can be used to detoxify alcohol. This medication binds to opioid receptors in your brain to inhibit the high that you get from heroin, Morphine or other painkillers. Naltrexone is available in form of pills or in a injection.
If you suffer from underlying or co-occurring mental health issues your physician or nurse may prescribe antipsychotic medication during detox. in home alcohol detox can help to reduce and control symptoms of psychosis like hallucinations, delusions, or hearing voices.
Inpatient or Outpatient
If you have a severe addiction to alcohol, inpatient treatment might be required. Inpatient treatment is offered in a rehab center and allows you to concentrate on your recovery. Inpatient programs generally last thirty, sixty, or ninety days. During this period, you will live in a treatment facility and be monitored around all hours by medical specialists.
Inpatient treatment can cut you off from your family, friends, job and other activities. It's important to be prepared for this type. Be sure to have your finances in order and that you can take care of your children and other obligations before your start date. Inpatient treatment can be more expensive than outpatient.
Outpatient treatment can be less restrictive for those with mild addictions and stable schedules at home, work or school. Outpatient treatment could include day treatment, hospitalization in part or other options. These programs need a certain amount of time each week at a rehabilitation clinic or a hospital. Continuing care groups can be outpatient treatments however they are more flexible.
Depending on the situation You can choose between inpatient or outpatient treatment for your alcohol addiction. The best choice for you will depend on the degree of your addiction and whether it is accompanied by other mental health issues or co-occurring disorders. A professional will be able assist you in determining the level of care you need and what type of program is the most beneficial for your recovery journey.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are widely employed to ease withdrawal symptoms during the phase of detoxification in alcohol treatment. These medications help to soothe the central nervous system. They can also be used to treat anxiety, insomnia and muscle spasms. When detoxing from medical alcohol, they can be prescribed in long-acting or short-acting forms. It is important to know that benzodiazepines may be harmful when combined with certain drugs and could even lead to death if not controlled and treated properly. For instance, they may be harmful when combined with opioid pain medication like hydrocodone or oxycodone. They could also cause fatal reactions known as benzodiazepine intoxication if mixed with other depressants.
Benzodiazepines are used in both an inpatient as well as an outpatient setting to help reduce withdrawal symptoms. They can aid in reducing the severity of withdrawal symptoms and prevent seizures caused by alcohol withdrawal, which occur in a range of 1 to 4 percent of people who are withdrawing from alcohol (Schuckit 1995). There are a variety of benzodiazepines, such as short-acting drugs like alprazolam and Clobazam, intermediate acting medicines such as diazepam, clorazepate and diazepam, and long-acting medications such as flurazepam and chlordiazepoxide. It is recommended that benzodiazepine should be used during withdrawal from alcohol with the help of a symptom-triggered therapy. This makes it harder to build up the drug and toxic effects to develop.
Anticonvulsants
Acamprosate and other medications are employed in a comprehensive treatment plan that helps people remain in recovery. This medication can reduce cravings for alcohol and is linked to longer periods of abstinence. It also helps with withdrawal symptoms. It's usually taken after the person has finished detox, but some begin the process while still in detox based upon the advice of their doctor.
Anticonvulsants perform different functions to prevent seizures by controlling brain signals. These medications are prescribed by physicians and can include valproic acid (Depakene) as well as carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenobarbital. Long-term use of these medications can cause liver damage, which is why it is crucial to have regular blood tests to keep an eye on. These medicines can also decrease the amount of platelets present in your blood, making it more difficult for your body to form clots. Pregnant women should not take valproic acid as it can increase the chance of birth defects or harm to an unborn baby.
Anticonvulsant medication is also used to treat depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders like insomnia. They are very efficient in treating various mental health conditions because they can balance chemical imbalances in neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. They are often utilized as a substitute for benzodiazepines when the patient is resistant to benzodiazepines. They are also used in the treatment of chronic alcohol abuse disorder when paired with other therapies such as motivational interviewing.
Antipsychotics
Certain people experience extreme withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations and delirium if they quit drinking alcohol on a regular basis. The medicines that are prescribed during medical withdrawal can help reduce the symptoms and prevent other serious complications like heart palpitations and seizures. These medications also help keep the body's chemical balance in balance during the detox process, which lowers the chance of relapse as well as other issues.
The process of detoxing from alcohol is usually carried out in a rehab center for inpatients which provides 24/7 care while the process takes place. Inpatient detox programs combine treatment for addiction to medical drugs and detox. This means that you will start your recovery by receiving treatment for your alcohol-related disorder as well as your dependency on drugs or alcohol. This combination of treatment and detox is referred to as MAT (medication assisted therapy). In MAT, you'll probably take antidepressants like SSRIs or sedatives, such as benzodiazepines to control your cravings. You can also use an medication to treat withdrawal symptoms, like propranolol or clonidine.
Research has proven that MAT can be equally effective in treating alcohol use disorder, as it is with other substances, such as opioids and benzodiazepines. In fact, studies have shown that outpatients who undergo MAT treatment achieve the same rates of sobriety as inpatients. However, the type of setting you select for your detox should not be the sole determinant in your overall recovery. In one study, significantly more people completed detox in an inpatient setting than an outpatient setting.
Relapse Prevention
When a person is medically detoxing from alcohol Relapse prevention programs will be encouraged. This program assists the person learn more about their addiction and how to deal with any triggers which could make them drink alcohol to ease their suffering. This could include identifying what is most important to the person in their recovery, like maintaining an occupation and maintaining healthy relationships, as well as fulfilling obligations.
In this process, the person will be able to recognize any negative feelings that might arise, such as stress or boredom. These feelings are often the ones that lead to substance use. They will be taught to pinpoint places or people which may trigger cravings such as family gatherings or parties where alcohol is present. This information will then be used to create an approach to help them remain sober in these circumstances.
This strategy usually consists of an array of strategies. This includes identifying ways to distract yourself, having an escape plan in the event that the urge for alcohol becomes too strong, and learning coping behaviors like taking a walk or breathing techniques to reduce anxiety. In some instances individuals may be taken to a rehabilitation program following the detox phase to keep their treatment going and to study these techniques in a secure environment.