Seeking Drug Addiction Help
If you have a loved one who is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it can be difficult to watch them. You may be wondering how to help them with their substance abuse issues. They might be ready to quit and wondering where to get help for substance abuse. There are a number of ways to help a drug addict. Here, we will talk about the signs of drug and alcohol use disorders, what you can expect when your loved one is dealing with a substance use disorder, how to handle the difficulties of trying to help them and how having a loved one with a drug or alcohol addiction affects you.
Medicines Involved In Alcohol Treatment
According to Psychiatry, the US Food and Drug Administration Has Approved Four Medications for Addictions to Treat Alcohol Use Disorders:
Disulfiram has long been a medications for addictions, it is used to treat alcoholism. If disulfiram interacts with alcohol and persists in the body for a week or two, it causes headaches, nausea, and vomiting, among other things. As a result, it is supposed to prevent alcoholics from resuming their drinking. Disulfiram, on the other hand, may have unplanned or potentially dangerous health effects when an overdose occurs. Side effects include death, low blood pressure, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
While alcoholics may stop taking disulfiram before purposefully drinking, reducing its long-term efficacy in preventing withdrawal, it may still be the most successful way to avoid impulsive drinking. When family and social care networks are active and attentive in ensuring that the drug is administered on a daily basis, disulfiram is thought to have the best success rates.
What Are The Treatments For Drug Addiction
Treatments for drug addiction include counseling, medicines, or both. Research shows that combining medicines with counseling gives most people the best chance of success.
The counseling may be individual, family, and/or group therapy. It can help you
- Understand why you got addicted
- See how drugs changed your behavior
- Learn how to deal with your problems so you wont go back to using drugs
- Learn to avoid places, people, and situations where you might be tempted to use drugs
Medicines can help with the symptoms of withdrawal. For addiction to certain drugs, there are also medicines that can help you re-establish normal brain function and decrease your cravings.
If you have a mental disorder along with an addiction, it is known as a dual diagnosis. It is important to treat both problems. This will increase your chance of success.
If you have a severe addiction, you may need hospital-based or residential treatment. Residential treatment programs combine housing and treatment services.
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What Medications Are Used As A Treatment For Drug Addiction
Arguably, one of the hardest parts of overcoming an addiction to drugs or alcohol is getting through detox. After all, this aspect of addiction recovery is known to trigger a wave of severe withdrawal symptoms, which can vary from mild to intense, depending on how long an individual has been using. Fortunately, many rehab facilities will provide individuals with medications to help make coming off of these substances slightly less taxing on the body and to reduce their chances of relapse.
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What Are The Principles Of Effective Treatment
Research shows that when treating addictions to opioids , medication should be the first line of treatment, usually combined with some form of behavioral therapy or counseling. Medications are also available to help treat addiction to alcohol and nicotine.
Additionally, medications are used to help people detoxify from drugs, although detoxification is not the same as treatment and is not sufficient to help a person recover. Detoxification alone without subsequent treatment generally leads to resumption of drug use.
For people with addictions to drugs like stimulants or cannabis, no medications are currently available to assist in treatment, so treatment consists of behavioral therapies. Treatment should be tailored to address each patients drug use patterns and drug-related medical, mental, and social problems.
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What Medications Are Typically Used To Treat Addiction
- Baclofen or Lioresal
- Vigabatrin or Sabril
Some of the most well-known medications that are used during addiction treatment are Naltrexone or Buprenorphine. These prescriptions are an integral part of the fight against opioid addiction and abuse. Drugs like opioids are some of the most addictive in existence. Treatment can be especially tricky for recovering addicts because opioid withdrawals come with long-term and severe cravings to use. Unfortunately, opioids are the drug most responsible for overdoses and deaths. Drugs like Naltrexone and Buprenorphine can help prevent cravings and also block the effects of opioids if someone relapses.
American Addiction Centers Can Help
Drugabuse.com is a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers , a leading provider in outpatient programs, drug and alcohol detox care and inpatient rehab programs. If you are struggling with addiction and considering detox or rehab, call our team for free to help you find the treatment you need. You can reach us at .
American Addiction Centers accepts many insurance plans and can work with you on a manageable payment plan. Find out if your insurance coverage includes addiction rehab and treatment by verifying your insurance instantly or visiting the links below:
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What Are My Addiction Treatment Options
To understand which level of treatment is most appropriate for your needs, you should consult with a physician, a therapist, or other treatment professional, who can assess your situation and make treatment recommendations. Often, people begin their recovery efforts with a period of supervised medical detox and then, depending on their needs, progress through additional rehabilitation. Treatment is sometimes initiated at a relatively intensive level of care but, as recovery progress is made, becomes gradually less intensive as individuals move through their continuum of care. The broad levels of care as outlined by the American Society for Addiction Medicine include:17,18
Learn more about the levels of care offered at American Addiction Centers nationwide treatment centers.
Curious about whether your insurance will cover the entirety of your addiction care? Fill out the form on the page below and an American Addiction Centers admissions navigator will inquire with your insurance company to discover your benefits.
Using Medication To Treat Addiction
Two of the biggest challenges in addiction treatment are the withdrawal process as the persons body reacts to the loss of the substance use and the continued cravings that occur both during and after treatment. These are both major contributors to the individuals risk of relapse, as evidenced partly by an article from Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. As a result, researchers have increasingly tried to find medications that can help to ease the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal and curb the destructive cravings that can cause a person to return to substance use. In the case of dangerous withdrawal syndromes, such as for alcohol, this can also decrease the chance of a lethal withdrawal reaction.
Some of the medications provided during substance abuse treatment are simple, over-the-counter products that ease physical discomforts that are typical of the withdrawal period. However, certain medications are also provided to directly affect the brain systems involved in the addiction response, in the hopes that they can deter the persons desire to start using again.
Another use of medication during addiction treatment is to manage co-occurring disorders that can contribute to substance abuse. For example, individuals who self-medicate depression by drinking alcohol may find it easier to stop alcohol abuse if they take medications to treat depression.
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How Can Addiction Be Successfully Treated
Addiction is a chronic disease that causes significant changes in the way the brain functions and how a person behaves. It is characterized by the compulsive misuse of a substance, even though it brings about significant negative consequences. Addiction can be treated and managed successfully through evidence-based behavioral therapies and, in some cases, medication.4 Some rehab centers use alternative therapies in treating addiction.
Addiction develops after a person uses or misuses substances and then loses their ability to control their use, negatively affecting their home, work, school and/or family life.4 This loss of control is often fueled by the way the body adapts to regular exposure to a substance: tolerance and physical dependence.
Tolerance is characterized by the need to take more of a drug to keep feeling the desired effects.5 As an individual exposes their body to regular use of certain drugs, the body adapts to its constant presence. When the drug is taken away withdrawal symptoms emerge as the body re-adjusts to not having the drug anymore. This can lead to strong cravings for the substance to relieve uncomfortable or distressing withdrawal symptoms, and may result in an individual struggling to quit using and relapsing or returning to substance use.
Treatment for drug and alcohol addiction focuses on management of the disorder, much like the process of managing other chronic diseases, including asthma or heart disease.6
A Expect Your Relationships To Change
During your addiction, your harmful behavior may alienate you from your family. You might end up hurting them however much theyve wanted to help. The best thing is that your recovery efforts will help you win them back.
It will take a while, however, to appreciate the new normal. But strengthening a positive relationship with family and friends will go a long way in helping you attain full sobriety.
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Concerned About A Friend
Drugs can be a hard subject to discuss, especially if you think your friend or relative has a problem.
Try to stay open-minded and remember that, with the right help and support, most people overcome their use before any serious harm is caused. Also, even if you do offer support, they might not change their behaviour.
You or your friend can call FRANK anytime on for confidential advice.
How Do I Tell My Kid Im Going To Rehab
We recommend having an honest discussion with your children about entering into drug rehabilitation treatment. If you are unsure about how to discuss treatment with your family, Recovery Centers of America has on-staff interventionists and therapists who can guide you through the process of communicating with your kids and family members.
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Where To Get Help For Substance Abuse Or Addiction
You can start looking for help for a drug or alcohol addiction by speaking with a doctor, doing research on what help is available and discussing these options with your friend or loved one. Factors that can play a role in deciding where to go for drug or alcohol addiction treatment and what kind of program you choose include the reputation of the rehab facility and the type of care you are seeking.
Typically, when an individual enters drug addiction treatment, it will occur in stages that include:14
- Medical detoxification, where a person clears substances out of their body in a safe, supervised atmosphere. Detox treatment alone is rarely sufficient in achieving long-term abstinence from a substance, but it is an important first step.
- Treatment, or rehab, addresses a persons motivation to change, helps a person identify triggers that lead to substance use and teaches people ways to cope with stress or other triggers that do not involve turning to substances. Treatment typically includes individual therapy, group therapy, peer support programs and, in some cases, medication.
- Aftercare provides continued support for a persons recovery after formal treatment. This can include attending mutual help groups , individual counseling or therapy and continuing medications that were started during treatment.
How To Overcome Feeling Lonely In Recovery
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 | By Lisa Downing
We human beings are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others activities. For this reason, it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others.
Dalai Lama XIV
Addiction is often the result of feeling lonely or depressed. Turning to drugs or alcohol is a way for many individuals to escape that isolating emotional pain. But when the self-medication turns into substance abuse, the addict suddenly finds him or herself lonelier than ever. Finding a supportive community is a vital part of the addiction recovery process.
Social support plays a powerful role in empowering you to face obstacles and overcome challenges. With the support of family, friends, therapists, counselors, and other individuals in recovery, you can tap into strength beyond your own. You can rely on a community of support.
The importance of social support includes:
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Benefits Of Medical Detox And Mat
The main benefit of detox is that the patient is under medical supervision. Doctors can help if a serious withdrawal event occurs. Proper care also makes symptoms less severe.
If you or a loved one would like to learn more about addiction treatment, contact The Recovery Village. Our helpful representatives are available to answer your questions and help you understand available treatment options that could work for your unique situation.
Medication Assisted Treatment : Find Mat Treatment Near Me
Medication-assisted treatment has helped many people recover from certain types substance use disorders . If you or someone you care about are struggling with alcohol or opioid addiction, you may be interested in learning more about how MAT can help you make progress in recovery.
American Addiction Centers offers medication-assisted treatment at most of our nationwide treatment facilities. Call us at There, our admissions navigators can help guide you through creating a treatment plan, help you explore MAT options at AAC, and verify your insurance coverage over the phone.
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Find Support For Your Addiction Recovery
Dont try to go it alonereach out for support. Whatever treatment approach you choose, having positive influences and a solid support system is essential. The more people you can turn to for encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear, the better your chances for recovery.
Lean on close friends and family. Having the support of friends and family members is an invaluable asset in recovery. If youre reluctant to turn to your loved ones because youve let them down before, consider going to relationship counseling or family therapy.
Build a sober social network.If your previous social life revolved around drugs, you may need to make some new connections. Its important to have sober friends who will support your recovery. Try taking a class, joining a church or a civic group, volunteering, or attending events in your community.
Consider moving into a sober living home. Sober living homes provide a safe, supportive place to live while youre recovering from drug addiction. They are a good option if you dont have a stable home or a drug-free living environment.
Make meetings a priority. Join a 12-step recovery support group, such as Narcotics Anonymous , and attend meetings regularly. Spending time with people who understand exactly what youre going through can be very healing. You can also benefit from the shared experiences of the group members and learn what others have done to stay sober.
Common Questions About Methadone
Methadone is a man-made opioid, similar to morphine or heroin.
Methadone will cause feelings of relaxation and reduce pain, but it will not give you the same high or euphoric feeling as heroin.
It works in treating heroin addiction by reducing the withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It is long acting and this means it stays in your body a lot longer than morphine and heroin.
Methadone reaches its peak effect after 2 hours. When you first start your treatment, and youre on a low dose, the effects may only last for a few hours.
Your starting dose will be increased gradually each day, as needed, until you no longer have withdrawal symptoms. Once your dose is stabilised, a single methadone dose will work for 24 to 36 hours.
You will stay on methadone until you decide to come off it. When you are ready to do this, your key worker will help you do this reduce your dose of methadone gradually.
Weaning off heroin and methadone completely, as part of a detox programme, normally takes at least 12 weeks.
If you are taking methadone for maintenance therapy, you will keep taking methadone long term, as a substitute for heroin.
Yes. If you have a maintenance therapy treatment plan, you can take methadone long term as a substitute for heroin.
Methadone slows down your body functions and reduces physical pain as well as feelings of anxiety.
It does not give you the same high or feeling of euphoria that you get with heroin.
Its best to avoid alcohol while taking methadone.
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What If The Person Doesnt Want Help For Drugs Or Alcohol
Ultimately, its the persons decision whether to seek professional help. Many people who misuse drugs or alcohol find it hard to ask for help at first, but may want to reach out later on. Be careful not to nag the person, since this might discourage them from opening up in the future.
Clearly state any behaviours you expect, or wont tolerate, from the person. You might not accept drug use in your home, for example.
Encourage the person to use safely to minimise the risk of harming themselves for example, through needle and syringe programs or opioid replacement programs.
Find an NSP in your state or territory here. You can also use the healthdirect Service Finder to find one near you. Select By name and type needle into the search bar.
Its important to know that you cant force the person to stop using drugs or alcohol. Only they can choose to change.
