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There's A Reason Why The Most Common Medical Alcohol Detox Debate Actually Isn't As Black And White As You Might Think
Medications Used During Medical Alcohol Detox

Medical alcohol detoxification is the first step in recovery for those struggling with alcoholism. This kind of detox offers 24/7 support and monitoring to ensure security.

Before beginning the detox process, patients should clear their schedules. They should also get rid of all alcohol from their homes. They should also eat nutritious meals to supply the body with necessary nutrients during this time.

Medicines

Medical detox is a secure way to eliminate toxic substances from your body under the supervision of an experienced team of medical experts. The team typically consists by nurses, physicians and therapists. However some facilities employ advanced practice personnel like physician's assistants or nurse practitioners. Medical detox can be utilized to treat a range of addictions, including alcohol and opioid use disorder.

During the detox phase drugs are usually administered to help manage your withdrawal symptoms and cravings for drugs or alcohol. Not all patients need medications, but they can make detoxing easier and more comfortable for certain.

Benzodiazepines are one of the most commonly prescribed medications during an alcohol detox. These sedatives can be administered by mouth or intravenously. Chlordiazepoxide, also known as Valium and Lirium, are the most common benzodiazepines. These medications can be taken for up to 3 days or as often as needed.

Naltrexone is another drug that can be used to help detoxify alcohol. It binds to the opioid receptors in your brain to inhibit the effects of heroin, Morphine or other painkillers. Naltrexone comes in the form of a pill or an injection.

Your physician or nurses could prescribe antipsychotic drugs during your detox process if you are suffering from certain underlying psychiatric issues. These medications can decrease and control psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, or hearing voices.

Inpatient or Outpatient

If you suffer from a severe addiction to alcohol, inpatient treatment could be necessary. Inpatient treatment is provided in a rehab center and allows you to concentrate on your recovery. Inpatient programs typically last for thirty days, sixty or ninety days. During this time, you will live in a treatment facility and be monitored round the clock by medical specialists.

You'll be away from your loved ones, family working, and other activities during inpatient treatment Therefore, it's crucial to be prepared for this kind of treatment. Make sure that you have your finances in order and you'll be able to manage your children or other responsibilities prior to the date you start treatment. Inpatient care is more expensive than outpatient.

Outpatient treatment is less limiting and is a great option for people with moderate addictions who have stable homes or work/school schedules. Outpatient treatment may include partial hospitalization or day treatment. These programs require a set number of hours per week in a rehab facility or hospital. The continuing care groups are outpatient programs and are more flexible.

You can choose between inpatient or outpatient treatment depending on the situation. The best treatment for you will depend upon the severity of your addiction and whether or not it's accompanied by mental health issues. A professional can help determine the appropriate level of care and treatment is the best for your recovery.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are used to reduce withdrawal symptoms in the treatment of alcohol. These drugs help relax the central nervous system. They are also used to treat insomnia, anxiety and muscle spasms. During medical alcohol detox, they can be prescribed in either short-acting or longer-acting forms. It is crucial to remember that benzodiazepines are dangerous when taken with some medications. They may even cause death if they are not monitored and treated correctly. For example, they can interfere negatively with opioid pain medication like oxycodone and hydrocodone and can cause a fatal reaction known as benzodiazepine-induced intoxication when combined with other depressants.

Benzodiazepines are used in both an inpatient as well as an outpatient setting to reduce withdrawal symptoms. They can reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and prevent alcohol withdrawal seizures, which occur in between 1 and 4 percent of people who have stopped drinking from alcoholic beverages (Schuckit 1995). There are a variety of benzodiazepines available that include short-acting medications like alprazolam (Xanax) and clobazam (Onfi, Sympazan), intermediate-acting drugs such as diazepam (Valium) and clorazepate (Tranxene) as well as long-acting drugs like chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and flurazepam (Dalmane). Symptom-triggered therapy is generally preferred for benzodiazepine treatment in alcohol withdrawal patients because it makes it more difficult for the drug to build up and become toxic.

Anticonvulsants

Acamprosate is a part of a comprehensive treatment program designed to help 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. It's typically started after a person finishes detox, however some people begin the process while still in detox based upon their provider's recommendation.

Anticonvulsants are medications that work in different ways to prevent seizures by controlling brain signals. These medications may be prescribed by a doctor, and include the valproic (Depakene), the phenobarbital (Tegretol), and carbamazepine. They can cause liver damage if taken long-term so it's important to conduct regular blood tests to keep track of this. These medications can also reduce the amount of blood platelets, making it harder for you to form clots. Women who are pregnant should not use valproic acid as it can increase the risk of birth defects or harm a unborn baby.

Anticonvulsant medications are also used to treat anxiety and depression as well as sleep disorders like insomnia. They can be very efficient in treating various mental health problems because they balance chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Sometimes they are utilized to replace benzodiazepines in cases where the patient is not responding. They can be used to treat chronic alcohol abuse disorder, in conjunction with other therapies like motivational interviews.

Antipsychotics

Some sufferers experience extreme withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations or delirium when they try to quit drinking on their own. The medicines used during medical alcohol withdrawal can reduce these symptoms and help prevent further complications like heart palpitations and seizures. These medications can also maintain the body's balance of chemicals during the detoxification process, reducing the chance of relapses or other issues.

Alcohol detox is typically done in a rehab center for inpatients which provides 24/7 care as the process is carried out. Inpatient detox programs usually combine medical drug addiction treatment with detox, which means you'll start the recovery process by receiving treatment for your alcohol use disorder and the dependence you have on drugs or alcohol. This combination of treatment with detox is called MAT (medication-assisted therapy). During MAT you will likely use antidepressants, such as SSRIs or sedatives, such as benzodiazepines to manage your cravings. You can also use a medication to treat your withdrawal symptoms, like propranolol or clonidine.


Research has proven that MAT is just as effective in treating alcohol dependence disorder like other substances, such as benzodiazepines and opioids. Studies have proven that patients who receive MAT treatment reach the same rate of sobriety as inpatients. The treatment method you select should not be the sole factor in your recovery. In one study, a significant number of patients completed detoxification in an inpatient facility compared to an outpatient setting.

Relapse Prevention

If someone is detoxed medically from alcohol they will be encouraged to participate in relapse prevention programs. This is a set of steps that allow the individual to learn more about the underlying cause of their addiction and how to manage any triggers that might cause them to turn to alcohol to manage their stress. This might include identifying what's most important to the person in their recovery, like maintaining a job and maintaining healthy relationships, as well as meeting obligations.

During this time, the person will learn to recognize any negative emotions that may arise, such stress or boredom. These emotions can often lead to substance use. They will be encouraged to identify people or places which may trigger cravings like family gatherings and gatherings where alcohol is consumed. The information they provide will be used to create the right plan for staying sober in these scenarios.

The plan typically involves an array of strategies. This includes identifying distractions, preparing an escape strategy in case the urge to drink gets too strong, learning strategies to cope such as walking for a walk, or using breathing techniques to lessen anxiety. In some instances, a person will be referred to a drug rehab following detoxification to continue treatment and learn these strategies.

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