Medications Used During Medical Alcohol Detox
Medical detoxification of alcohol is the first step in recovery for those who are struggling with alcoholism. This kind of detox is characterized by 24-hour monitoring and support to ensure safety and security.
Before beginning the detox process, patients should take a step back and clear their schedules. They should also get rid of all alcohol from their homes. They should also follow a healthy diet during this time to provide the body with essential nutrients.
Medications
Medical detox is a successful method to eliminate toxic substances from your body under the supervision of a group of experienced medical professionals. This team typically includes doctors, nurses and therapists but some facilities utilize advanced practice staff like physician assistants or nurse practitioners. Medical detox is a treatment for a variety of addictions like opioid and alcohol disorder.
During the withdrawal phase, you may be prescribed medications to manage your withdrawal symptoms, or cravings for alcohol or other drugs. Medications are not necessary for everyone but for certain individuals they can make the process much easier and less painful.
Benzodiazepines are one of the most commonly prescribed medications during an alcohol detox. They are sedatives that can be taken either orally as well as intravenously. Chlordiazepoxide, which 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.
how to alcohol detox at home that is often used in detox for alcohol is the drug naltrexone. The medication binds to opioid receptors in your brain, and blocks the high you get from heroin, morphine or other painkillers. Naltrexone is available in the form of pills or injections.
If you suffer from underlying or co-occurring psychiatric issues Your doctor or nurse may prescribe antipsychotic medication during detox. These medications can help to reduce and manage psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions or hearing voices.
Inpatient or Outpatient
If you suffer from a severe addiction to alcohol, inpatient treatment may be necessary. Inpatient treatment can be found in a rehab facility and allows you to concentrate on your recovery. Inpatient programs are usually run for thirty or sixty days. In this period you'll be in a center for treatment and be closely monitored by medical professionals round the clock.
You'll be separated from your family, friends working, and other activities during hospital treatment Therefore, it's crucial to prepare for this type of treatment. Make sure that you have your finances in order and that you can manage your children or other obligations prior to the date you start treatment. Inpatient treatment can be more expensive than outpatient.
Outpatient treatment can be less restrictive for those who have mild addictions and stable schedules at work, home or at school. Outpatient treatment could be a combination of partial hospitalization and day treatment. These programs require a certain number of hours each week at the rehab or hospital. The continuing care groups are outpatient programs and are more flexible.
You can choose between inpatient and outpatient treatment based on your situation. The most effective treatment for you will depend on the severity of your addiction and whether or not it's associated with mental health issues. A professional will be able to help you determine the amount of care you require and the type of program that will be most beneficial for your recovery.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are used to lessen withdrawal symptoms associated with the treatment of alcohol. They help to calm the central nervous system and are also used to treat anxiety, insomnia and muscle spasms. In the course of medical detoxification they are prescribed in short-acting or long-acting forms. It is important to note that benzodiazepines may be harmful when taken with certain medications and may even cause death if not controlled and treated appropriately. They can, for instance can interact negatively with opioid pain medications such as oxycodone or hydrocodone. They can also trigger fatal reactions known as benzodiazepine toxicity when combined with 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 can prevent alcohol withdrawal seizures which are common in a range of 1 to 4 percent of those withdrawing from alcoholic beverages (Schuckit 1995). There are many kinds of benzodiazepines, including short-acting medicines like alprazolam or Clobazam, intermediate acting medicines such as diazepam and clorazepate, and long-acting medications such as flurazepam and chlordiazepoxide. Symptom-triggered therapy is generally preferred for benzodiazepine treatment in patients suffering from alcohol withdrawal due to the fact that it makes it more difficult for the drug to build up and cause toxic.
Anticonvulsants
Acamprosate is used in an extensive treatment program that helps people remain in recovery. The medication can help reduce cravings 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 begin the process while still in detox based on the advice of their doctor.
Anticonvulsants work in different ways by controlling brain signals to stop seizures. They are prescribed by a doctor and can include valproic acid (Depakene), carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenobarbital. The long-term use of these medicines can cause liver damage, so it is essential to conduct regular blood tests to monitor. These medicines can also decrease the amount of platelets present in your blood, making it difficult for your body to make clots. Valproic acid should not be taken by pregnant women as it increases the risk of birth defects or harm to an unborn child.
Anticonvulsant medications are also used to treat depression and anxiety as well as sleep disorders such as insomnia. They are extremely effective in treating mental health issues because they regulate the chemical imbalances in neurotransmitters such as dopamine and melatonin. Sometimes, they are used to replace benzodiazepines if the patient is not responding. They are used to treat chronic alcohol abuse disorder, in conjunction with other therapies, such as motivational interviews.
Antipsychotics
Certain people experience extreme withdrawal symptoms, such as hallucinations or dizziness when they stop drinking alcohol for a long time. The medications used during medical alcohol detox can help to reduce those symptoms, and also help prevent other serious issues like seizures and heart palpitations. These medications can also keep the body's chemical balance during the detoxification process, which reduces the chance of relapses or other issues.
The process of detoxing from alcohol is usually carried out in a rehab facility where you'll receive care all the time. Inpatient detox programs often include medical treatment for addiction and detoxification, meaning that you'll start the recovery process by receiving treatment for your alcohol dependence disorder as well as the dependence you have on alcohol or drugs. This combination of treatment and detox is referred to as MAT (medication assisted therapy). During MAT, you'll likely take antidepressants, like SSRIs or sedatives like benzodiazepines to reduce your cravings. You could also be prescribed an medication to treat withdrawal symptoms, such as propranolol or clonidine.
Research has shown that MAT can be just as effective in treating alcohol use disorder, like other substances, such as benzodiazepines and opioids. In fact, studies have revealed that outpatients who undergo MAT treatment have the same rates of sobriety as inpatients. The type of treatment you choose should not be a deciding element in your recovery. In one study, significantly more people completed detox in an inpatient setting than in an outpatient setting.
Relapse Prevention
When a person is detoxing medically from alcohol, relapse prevention programs will be recommended. This program helps the individual learn more about their addiction and how to handle any triggers that may cause them to drink alcohol to cope. This may include identifying what is most important to the individual in their recovery, for example, maintaining an occupation and maintaining healthy relationships, as well as fulfilling obligations.
During this process the person will be taught to recognize any negative emotions that might occur, like stress or boredom which could cause an increase in the use of substances. They will be taught to recognize people or places which may trigger cravings like family gatherings and gatherings where alcohol is consumed. The information they provide will be used to formulate a plan for staying sober in these circumstances.
The plan typically involves an array of strategies. These include finding distractions, having an escape strategy in case the urge for alcohol becomes too strong, learning strategies to cope such as walking or breathing techniques to ease anxiety. In some instances people will be referred to rehab for addiction after detoxification in order to continue treatment and to learn these strategies.