In a medically-assisted detox program, medical professionals monitor the patient and administer medication that counteracts some of the more painful withdrawal symptoms. In alcohol and opioid detox programs, the withdrawal symptoms can be so severe that they can become life-threatening. Severe dehydration due to diarrhea and vomiting can lead to heart failure when blood sodium levels dangerously increase. A medication-assisted detox center can offer safe solutions to the problems of drug withdrawal. Some people have the mindset that they are responsible for getting themselves into this mess, and they’ll be the person to get themself out of it. But when you are sicker than you have ever been, wouldn’t you want someone by your side when you need them?
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication-assisted treatment is an option that our team uses to help clients manage withdrawal symptoms that come when someone stops using opiates. Without this treatment, many people find this process much more painful and dangerous. We use a range of medications to assist with the opiate detox process, including:
- Methadone-Methadone is one of the most common medications that opiate addiction treatment centers use to address addiction. However, it is essential to use this medication under the supervision of medical staff, as it can be highly addictive.
- Buprenorphine-This medication can reduce a person’s cravings for opiates without causing the euphoric high these substances are known for. This medication doesn’t have any narcotic effects.
- Suboxone-Suboxone combines buprenorphine and naloxone, which is a medication that nullifies overdoses.
- Naltrexone-Naltrexone is a substance that prevents you from experiencing the pleasurable effects of opiates. This medication is not addictive.
Detoxing on your own is inadvisable, but there are safe ways to detox in a treatment facility.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Withdrawal Symptoms
Medicine cannot help with ridding your body of substances like meth. However, there are medication-assisted therapies that can alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Modafinil can treat narcolepsy by regulating how you sleep. This medication can relieve cravings and assist with sleeping problems. In addition, it can manage certain functions that the withdrawal process may have impaired. Bupropion is an antidepressant medication that helps people trying to quit smoking. It can effectively regulate dopamine, which counteracts deficiencies in dopamine caused by long-term meth use.
Medical Detox Protocols
We will need to determine whether the patient is a good candidate for medical detox, depending on the severity of their addiction. We must assess several conditions first. For instance, we will evaluate factors such as:
- Diagnosis of the substance abuse problem
- Patient’s willingness to undergo treatment
- No physical issues that treatment could adversely affect
- Alternative options have been presented to the patient
- A heart or lung condition, or other physical limitations that opioid agonists may exacerbate
- A history of medication abuse
- Unmotivated to stop using drugs or alcohol
- FDA-approved medication is not able to treat the addiction
- A co-occurring substance abuse problem that might counteract the medicine-assisted therapy
Not everyone can receive medicine during rehab due to some physical limitations. However, it can be a lifesaver for those who can access this treatment.
Reach Out to Ethan Crossing Recovery Today
A medically-assisted detox program is the right choice for a long-term addiction problem that can induce severe withdrawal symptoms. The right combination of medicine can make the withdrawal process manageable and prevent you from becoming ill. At Ethan Crossing Recovery near Springfield, Ohio, we provide medicine to ease your way throughout your recovery. We offer mental health services and pair them with an addiction treatment program in our dual diagnosis program. Anyone can get help at any point. Ethan Crossing Recovery serves the Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Ohio area. Contact us today.
