Medications Used During Medical Alcohol Detox
Medical alcohol detoxification is the first step towards recovery for those struggling with alcoholism. This type of detox offers 24/7 monitoring and assistance to ensure safety and security.
Before beginning the detox, patients should clear their schedules. They should also eliminate all alcohol from their homes. They should also eat nutritious meals to supply the body with the necessary nutrients during this time.
Medicines
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 therapists, nurses, and physicians, although some facilities also employ advanced practice staff such as physician assistants or nurse practitioners. Medical detox is a method to treat a wide range of addictions, including addiction to opioids and alcohol.
During the withdrawal phase, you could be prescribed medications to control withdrawal symptoms or cravings for alcohol or other drugs. Not all patients need medications however they can make detoxing more easy and more comfortable for some.
One of the most frequently prescribed drugs during the detox process for alcohol is benzodiazepines. They are sedatives that can be consumed orally or intravenously. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam (Valium). These medications can be taken for up to 3 days or as needed.
Naltrexone is another drug that can be used to cleanse alcohol. It binds to the opioid receptors of your brain to inhibit the effects of Morphine, heroin or other painkillers. Naltrexone is available in pills or injected.
Your physician or nurse may prescribe antipsychotic drugs 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 necessary in the case of a severe alcohol addiction. Inpatient treatment takes place at a rehab facility and provides the opportunity to focus solely on your recovery. Inpatient programs generally run for thirty, sixty or ninety-days. During this period, you will live in a treatment facility and will be monitored round all hours by medical experts.
Inpatient treatment will separate you from your family, friends, work and other pursuits. It is important to be prepared for this kind of situation. Before you start, make sure you have the care of your children and other responsibilities covered and that your finances are in order. alcohol detox home can be more expensive than outpatient.
Outpatient treatment may be more flexible for those with moderate addictions and a stable schedule at home, work or at school. Outpatient treatment could include partial hospitalization or day treatment. These programs require a certain number of hours per week in the rehab or hospital. These groups also provide outpatient treatment options and are more flexible.
Depending on your situation depending on your situation, you can select either inpatient or outpatient treatment for your alcohol addiction. The most effective treatment for you will depend on the severity of your alcohol addiction and whether or not it's associated with mental health issues. A professional will be able assist you in determining the level of care you require and the type of program that is the most beneficial to your recovery.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines can help lessen withdrawal symptoms associated with the treatment of alcohol. These drugs calm the central nervous systems and are used to treat anxiety and insomnia. They are prescribed as short-acting or longer-acting during detoxification for medical reasons. It is vital to keep in mind that benzodiazepines can be dangerous when taken with some medications. They may even cause death if they are not properly monitored and treated. For example, they can interfere negatively with opioid pain medications like hydrocodone or oxycodone. They could also cause a fatal reaction called benzodiazepine intoxication when mixed with other depressants.
Benzodiazepines are very effective at reducing withdrawal symptoms in alcohol detox and are available in both outpatient and inpatient settings. They can lessen the severity and frequency of withdrawal symptoms and can also help prevent alcohol withdrawal seizures. These seizures are estimated to occur in between 1 and 4 percent (Schuckit, 1995) of people who are withdrawing from alcohol. There are many kinds of benzodiazepines, such as short-acting medicines like alprazolam or Clobazam, intermediate-acting medications like diazepam and clorazepate, and long-acting medicines such as flurazepam and chlordiazepoxide. It is recommended that benzodiazepine be utilized in withdrawal from alcohol using symptom-triggered therapy. This makes it difficult for the drug buildup and toxic effects to develop.
Anticonvulsants
Acamprosate is a part of a complete treatment program that helps people stay in recovery. This medication is known to reduce alcohol cravings and is associated with longer periods of time without drinking. It also helps with withdrawal. It's typically taken following detoxification, however some people start taking acamprosate while detoxifying according to the advice of their doctor.
Anticonvulsants perform a variety of functions by controlling brain signals to stop seizures. These medications are prescribed by a doctor and may include valproic acid (Depakene), carbamazepine (Tegretol) and Phenobarbital. They may cause liver damage when used for a long time, so it is important to have regular blood tests to check this. These medications also decrease the number of blood platelets, which makes it harder for you to clot. Valproic acid shouldn't be used by women who are pregnant as it increases the risk of birth defects or harm to a child who is not born.
Anticonvulsant medicines are also used to treat anxiety and depression and sleep disorders like insomnia. They are very effective in treating many mental health problems because they regulate chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. Sometimes, they are used to replace benzodiazepines when the patient is not responding. alcohol detox clinic can also be used in the treatment of chronic alcohol abuse disorder when paired with other therapies such as motivational interviewing.
Antipsychotics
Some people experience extreme withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations or delirium if they attempt to stop drinking on their own. 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 can also maintain the body's balance of chemicals during the detoxification process, which reduces the chance of relapses or other issues.
Alcohol detox is typically performed in a rehab facility where you'll receive care all day long throughout the process. Inpatient detox programs include treatment for addiction to medical drugs and detox. This means that you begin your recovery by receiving treatment for your alcohol-related disorder, as well as your dependence on alcohol or drugs. This combination of detox and treatment is known as MAT (medication assisted therapy). In MAT, you'll probably take antidepressants such as SSRIs or sedatives such as benzodiazepines, to manage your cravings. You may also be prescribed a medication such as propranolol and clonidine to treat withdrawal symptoms.
Research has shown that MAT is as effective for treating alcohol-related disorders as it is for other substances like opioids and benzodiazepines. In fact, studies have shown that outpatients receiving MAT treatment can achieve the same levels of sobriety as inpatients. However, the type of setting you choose for your detox should not be the deciding factor in your overall recovery. In one study, more patients completed detox in an inpatient setting than an outpatient setting.
Relapse Prevention
If someone is detoxed medically from alcohol, they are encouraged to participate in relapse prevention programs. This program assists the person discover more about their addiction and how to manage any triggers which could cause them to drink alcohol to ease their suffering. This could include identifying what is most important to the person in their recovery, for example, keeping the job, maintaining healthy relationships and keeping up with obligations.
During this process it is taught to recognize any negative feelings that may occur, like boredom or stress which could cause an increase in the use of substances. They will also be taught to pinpoint any persons or places that could trigger cravings, such as parties or family gatherings where alcohol might be present. The information they provide will be used to formulate the right plan for staying sober in these situations.
This plan is usually a combination of strategies, such as finding distractions to concentrate on and having an exit plan in the event that the urge to drink gets too strong, and learning coping techniques like walking or utilizing breathing techniques to manage anxiety. In some instances, the individual will be taken to a rehab program following detox to continue their treatment and learn these strategies in a safe environment.