Medications Used During Medical Alcohol Detox
Medical alcohol detoxification is the first step in recovery for those struggling with alcoholism. This type of detox provides round-the-clock support and monitoring to ensure security.
Patients must clear their schedules and remove alcohol from their home prior to beginning detox. They should also follow an appropriate diet to supply the body with the necessary nutrients during this time.
Medicines
Medical detox is a safe method to eliminate harmful substances from the body under the supervision of a group of medical professionals who are experienced. This team typically includes physicians, nurses and therapists, although some facilities also employ advanced practice staff such as nurse practitioners or physician assistants. Medical detox can treat many addictions, including alcohol and opioid use disorder.
In the detox phase, medication is often prescribed to help manage your withdrawal symptoms and cravings for drugs or alcohol. They aren't necessary for everyone but for certain individuals they can make the process more comfortable and less uncomfortable.
One of the most commonly prescribed drugs during a detox for alcohol is benzodiazepines. These are sedatives which can be consumed orally or intravenously. The most common benzodiazepines include chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam (Valium). These drugs can be taken for up to three days or on an as-needed basis.
Another drug that is commonly used in detox for alcohol is the drug naltrexone. It binds to the opioid receptors in 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.
If you have underlying or co-occurring psychiatric problems, your doctor or nurses might prescribe antipsychotic medications during detox. These medications can decrease and manage psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, or hearing voices.
Inpatient or Outpatient
If you are suffering from a serious addiction to alcohol, inpatient treatment might be required. Inpatient treatment takes place in an addiction treatment center and gives you the opportunity to focus solely on your recovery. Inpatient programs usually run for thirty, sixty or ninety days. In this time you will be in a facility for treatment and be monitored around all hours by medical specialists.
Inpatient treatment will separate you from your family, friends, work and other pursuits. It is essential to be prepared for this type. Make sure you have your finances in order and that you can manage your children or other obligations prior to your scheduled start date. Inpatient care can be more expensive than outpatient.
Outpatient treatment is less restrictive for those with moderate addictions and a stable schedule at work, home or school. Outpatient treatment could include partial hospitalization, day treatment or other options. These programs require a specific amount of time each week at a rehabilitation clinic or hospital. These groups are often outpatient treatments, but they are more flexible.
You can choose between inpatient and outpatient treatment based on the situation. The best option for you will depend on the degree of your addiction and whether it's accompanied by other mental health issues or co-occurring disorders. A professional can help you determine what degree of care and treatment is best for your recovery.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are employed to ease withdrawal symptoms during the phase of detoxification in alcohol treatment. These medications help to soothe the central nervous system. They are also used to treat insomnia, anxiety and muscle spasms. They are prescribed as either short-acting or long-acting during medical alcohol detox. It is vital to keep in mind that benzodiazepines pose a risk when combined with certain medications. They can cause death if not properly monitored and treated. They may, for instance, interact negatively with opioid pain medication like hydrocodone and oxycodone. They can also trigger an fatal reaction known as benzodiazepine toxicity when combined with depressants.
Benzodiazepines are extremely effective in alleviating withdrawal symptoms in alcohol detox and can be administered both in inpatient and outpatient settings. They can help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and prevent seizures due to alcohol withdrawal that occur in an estimated 1 to 4 percent of those withdrawing from alcoholic beverages (Schuckit 1995). There are a variety of benzodiazepines to choose from that include short-acting medications such as alprazolam (Xanax) and clobazam (Onfi, Sympazan), intermediate-acting substances like diazepam (Valium) and clorazepate (Tranxene), and long-acting drugs like chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and flurazepam (Dalmane). Symptom-triggered therapy is generally preferred for benzodiazepine usage in alcohol withdrawal patients because this makes it harder for the drug to build up and become toxic.
Anticonvulsants
Medications such as acamprosate are employed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that helps people stay in recovery. The medication can help reduce cravings for alcohol and is linked with longer periods of abstinence. It also helps with withdrawal. It is usually taken after detoxification, but some people begin taking acamprosate in the course of detoxification according to the advice of their doctor.
Anticonvulsants perform a variety of functions by controlling brain signals to stop seizures. These medications may be prescribed by a doctor, and include the valproic (Depakene), phenobarbital (Tegretol) and carbamazepine. Long-term use of these medications can cause liver damage, which is why it is essential to conduct regular blood tests to monitor. These medications also reduce the amount of platelets in your blood, making it harder 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 a child who is not born.
Anticonvulsant drugs are also used to treat depression and anxiety, as well as sleep disorders such as insomnia. They are very effective in treating many mental health issues because they balance chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. They can be used as a replacement for benzodiazepines in cases where the patient is unable to tolerate benzodiazepines. They are also used in the treatment of chronic alcohol use disorder when combined with other therapies, like motivational interviewing.
Antipsychotics
Some people experience extreme withdrawals symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions when they stop drinking on their o ne. Medications used during medical alcohol detox can reduce these symptoms, as well as prevent other serious complications like seizures and heart palpitations. These medications can also keep the body's chemical balance in equilibrium during the detox process, which reduces the risk of relapse and other issues.
Alcohol detox is usually done in a rehabilitation facility where you'll receive care 24/7 throughout the process. Inpatient detox programs usually combine medical drug addiction treatment and detoxification, meaning that you'll begin the process of recovery with treatment for your alcohol use disorder and the dependence you have on drugs or alcohol. This combination of treatment with detox is known as MAT (medication-assisted therapy). In MAT, you'll probably use antidepressants, such as SSRIs, or sedatives, like benzodiazepines to reduce your cravings. You may be prescribed a drug like propranolol or Clonidine to treat withdrawal symptoms.
Research has shown that MAT is as effective in treating alcohol use disorder as it is for other drugs such as benzodiazepines and opioids. In fact, studies have shown that outpatients who undergo MAT treatment have the same levels of sobriety as inpatients. The type of treatment you choose to use should not be the sole factor in your recovery. In one study, significantly more patients completed detox in an inpatient setting than an outpatient setting.
Relapse Prevention
When a person is being detoxed medically from alcohol they are encouraged to participate in relapse prevention programs. This is a set of steps that assist the person to gain knowledge about the root of their addiction and how to deal with any triggers that could lead them to drink as a way to cope. This might include identifying what are most important to them in their recovery, such as staying on track with their work, maintaining healthy relationships, fulfilling obligations and making progress towards personal goals.
During this time, the person will be able to recognize any negative feelings that might arise, such as boredom or stress. These feelings are often the ones that result in substance use. They will also be encouraged to recognize any individuals or places that could cause cravings, like parties or family gatherings where alcohol might be present. The information they provide will be used to formulate an effective plan to stay sober in these circumstances.
The plan typically involves a combination strategies. These include finding ways to distract yourself, having an escape plan in case the urge for alcohol becomes too strong, and learning coping behaviors like taking a walk, or using breathing techniques to lessen anxiety. In certain instances the patient may be referred to a drug rehabilitation program after detox to keep their treatment going and to learn these techniques in a secure environment.