Medical Methods of Addiction Treatment
March 29, 2008
Medical methods are one of the two main types of drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Most people get medical as well as behavioral treatment when they enter a rehab program.
Being aware of what this involves will help you know what to expect when preparing for yourself or a loved one to go to a rehabilitation center for the first time.Medical treatment is basically just what it sounds like. Most patients are given medications to help them in the transition from a lifestyle that is ruled by addiction to one that is free of drugs and alcohol. Medical treatment usually starts immediately when you arrive at a drug rehab center. You will probably begin feeling withdrawal symptoms within a short period of time after you stop using alcohol or drugs. Medications are frequently given to ease the physical symptoms and pain of detox, which can be quite grueling for a severe addict.
There are a wide variety of medications that are available specifically for addiction to an opiate drug, like methadone, naltrexone, and Suboxone. Opioids are a class of drugs that includes heroin, morphine, OxyContin, and many other prescription painkillers. These medications have many benefits such as being able to eliminate cravings and detox symptoms for opiate drugs.
Medication may also be started in an addiction treatment program for a mental illness, such as an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medicine. This is especially true in a treatment program that has a strong dual diagnosis component or a psychiatrist on staff. Getting proper help for a psychological disorder will make addiction recovery more successful.
Some experts and rehab centers believe that it is counterproductive to give addicts another drug to deal with their addiction and prefer to use holistic or natural methods instead. However, most places do use a medical model of treatment.
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