Based on scientific research dating back to the mid-1970s these key principles should guide any treatment program.
To reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings in people with an alcohol abuse disorder, the following medications can be used:
Our first step to a long-term, successful recovery is ours. It is important to seek treatment in a licensed facility to provide the highest level of care (DTX or RTC) during early recovery. This will help to build a foundation for recovery. We aim to make it easy for you to understand the treatment that we offer and help you get started on your journey to recovery.
A residential program is a form of inpatient treatment that allows the person to live in a more supportive community for long-term treatment. These programs last approximately six months.
To treat alcohol dependence, topiramate, disulfiram, and disulfiram (a novel anticonvulsant sugar sulphonated sugar), are all used. Acamprosate has proved effective in treating severe dependence. Patients can keep abstinence for up to a month, or for several weeks. When you drink alcohol, disulfiram can cause a very unpleasant reaction that causes flushing, nausea, and palpitations. Patients with high motivation are more likely to use disulfiram, while addicts may only use it for very high-risk situations. Patients who are likely to relapse or wish to continue to drink should not take diulfiram. It can cause the disulfiram/alcohol reaction, which can be very serious and even fatal.
IOP individuals live in an independent supportive environment, either at home or at a sober housing house. They also attend daily treatment sessions.
For people with more severe issues (including co-occurring conditions), residential or inpatient treatment may also prove to be effective. Residential treatment facilities licensed by the government offer 24-hour care including medical attention and safe housing. These facilities can use a variety therapeutic approaches and are generally designed to allow the patient to live a drug free, crime-free existence after treatment. These are some examples of residential treatment settings:
There are many different levels of treatment for addiction. It is important to choose the right level of treatment for an individual. This should not be determined by what they want, but what will give them the best chance of success.
Cold Turkey: A sudden cessation of using drugs completely. Stopping cold turkey is dangerous because the individual will likely experience severe withdrawal symptoms. Cold turkey detox is not the best option as most people will use the drug again to ease withdrawal symptoms.
This TIP also refers to the DSM-IV-TR classifications for substance withdrawal and substance intoxication. Substance Intoxication is the "development of a reversible sub-specific syndrome as a result of the recent ingestion (or exposure) to a drug" and substance withdrawal is the "development of a specific maladaptive behavioral change that is caused by the cessation or reduction in heavy and prolonged substances use" (APA 2000. pp. 199, 201). These and other terms are defined in Figure 1-1 (p. 6).
Here is a plain-language summary of behavioral treatments, medications, or devices that can help with substance abuse disorders.
When used in conjunction with behavioral therapies, medication may play a crucial role in recovery. Certain medications can be used for cravings reduction, mood improvement, and addictive behavior reduction. FDA approved lofexidine in order to decrease cravings and withdrawal symptoms for patients with opioid addiction. Acamprosate and other medications can be used to reduce drinking.
Detoxification is the process where all traces of alcohol or drugs are removed from the system. It ensures that an individual is healthy and ready for therapy to overcome addiction. While not necessary in addiction treatment and isn't always expected, it is often an essential part of rehab.
Addiction is a dangerous, ongoing disorder that will get worse with time without treatment. There are many programs and interventions that can be used to help addicts, but they often need active participation. Continue reading for more information.
IOP residents live in an independant supportive environment, at home or at sober living homes. They attend daily treatment sessions.
Substance use disorders impact on the whole person. We provide holistic, medical, psychological and psychotherapeutic treatment services to patients in order to achieve total healing.
Rehabilitation also means that someone is being corrected for their mistakes. This is consistent with the stigma surrounding addiction. Part of the treatment process for addictions is to help people and their families understand that addiction is not a moral matter but a matter biological.