Addictive substances interfere with how your brain works because they cause changes in your brain chemistry. Repairing at least some of the effects is possible and involves stopping drug use. Sadly, your body triggers withdrawal symptoms when you quit addictive drugs. In many cases, detox medication management is necessary to stay safe during the process.
What Is Detox Medication Management?
Several drugs can cause life-threatening symptoms during withdrawal. You need a medical detox to avoid complications.
Detox medication management is the oversight of the medicines that you take to reduce the symptoms. However, these medications are only one part of an extensive medication assisted treatment plan. Their purpose is to enhance and foster your sustained recovery.
Also, sometimes the medicines that minimize cravings and symptoms are addictive. In that case, you need detox medication management to avoid developing another addiction.
Various Medications for Different Drugs and Symptoms
Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms that people experience include anxiety, depression, and nausea. Muscle aches and sweating are also common, while seizures may occur, too. To combat this range of symptoms, detox center staff administers various medications.
Antidepressants can treat depression and anxiety. They do so by helping your brain produce chemicals that make you feel happy. The brain is unable to do that on its own when you suffer from addiction.
Benzodiazepines can also treat anxiety. They have a sedative effect that eases this symptom and helps you stay calm and relaxed during detox. Since these drugs are addictive, they require close detox medication management.
Clonidine is a medicine that can treat alcohol, opiate and opioid withdrawal. It reduces anxiety, cramps, muscle aches and sweating. It can even stop seizures and tremors.
Naltrexone works for alcohol, opiate, and opioid withdrawal as well. It blocks the receptors in the brain that produce the pleasurable effects that drugs trigger. Also, it reduces cravings, headaches, and nausea.
Detox centers can also use antinausea medicines and pain relievers to ease withdrawal symptoms. Even rehab centers administer medication for lingering symptoms. Here are some of these other drugs.
Opiates and Opioid Detox Medications
Opiates are natural derivatives of opium such as morphine, codeine, and heroin. Opioids are semi-synthetic versions that a lab creates. Examples include oxycodone and hydrocodone. Opioids can also be fully synthetic versions such as fentanyl.
Another fully synthetic opioid is methadone. Some detox centers use it to treat opiate and opioid withdrawal. They administer it to reduce cravings and other symptoms.
However, methadone binds to the same receptors in the brain as other opiates and opioids. Because of its nature, the drug has the potential for abuse without proper detox medication management.
Buprenorphine is a less addictive alternative to methadone. For this reason, more detox centers use it instead. It works in the same way, and certified doctors can prescribe it.
Alcohol Rehab Medications
The longer you abuse alcohol, the longer your withdrawal symptoms last. When they linger for weeks or months, you have post-acute withdrawal syndrome. While detox centers use clonidine and naltrexone to treat withdrawal symptoms, rehab centers use other drugs for the lingering symptoms.
Acamprosate is a drug used to relieve physical and emotional distress. It prevents you from drinking by reducing anxiety and depression. The idea is that you won’t drink if you don’t feel the symptoms that lead you to drink.
Disulfiram is another medicine that prevents drinking, but it does so in a different way. Rather than treat symptoms, it causes nausea and vomiting when you drink. The purpose is to retrain your body and mind to dislike drinking because it makes you sick.
Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston Can Manage Your Detox Medications
Do you have a drug addiction that you want to kick? Serenity House Detox & Recovery offers a range of drug-specific detox programs, including:
Our goal is to provide individualized care that keeps you safe during withdrawal. We include medical detox and other evidence-based services in our residential program. Relapse prevention is just one example. Furthermore, we offer a range of counseling and holistic services to lay the groundwork for your recovery in rehab.
Take your first step toward a better life today. Learn how to overcome drug addiction and regain control. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston at 866.516.8356.
