Managing Drug Withdrawal Symptoms with Medications
Drug Addiction Treatment Prescriptions
Using drugs to fight off drug use seems contradictory, especially when some medications (such as methadone) are synthesized from the same addictive compounds as their hardcore cousins. Dependence on prescribed medications has far fewer side effects than those of addictive substances, though, and allows for a controlled landing that minimizes harmful or permanent side effects.
The Need for Managing Withdrawal Symptoms with Medications
Cold turkey withdrawal from a severely chronic addiction can be deadly. The body finds itself suddenly void of the chemical messengers it relies on to ferry information around the nervous system and launches into a neurologic tailspin. Every function is on overload because suddenly the “wires” in the brain have lost their “insulation” and everything starts to short-circuit.
Severe depression, anxiety, agitation, hallucinations, nausea, tremors, and even seizures are the hallmarks of drug and alcohol withdrawal. Most symptoms sprout up after six to 12 hours following the last session of use and can continue for upwards of 4 weeks. After this initial period of intensity, cravings may still sneak up on you weeks, months, or even years later.
Without prescribed medications, the first sign of withdrawal symptoms can send the user right back to the original substance of abuse.
The Fundamentals of Managing Withdrawal Symptoms with Medications
Electrolytes are the most commonly available “medications” for treating withdrawal symptoms. Found in popular sports drinks at every gas station and grocery store, electrolytes are the ionic charge your muscles, organs, and nerves need to maintain optimal functioning. IV supplements are sometimes used to offset extreme cases of electrolyte depletion.
Additional medications used for treatment and gradual weaning of withdrawal symptoms can include:
• Benzodiazepines (Valium, Librium, and Ativan) – Low doses administered for alcohol withdrawal calm the nervous system without excessive euphoria
• Phenobarbital – Anticonvulsant for controlling seizures (especially necessary when the addiction includes barbituates)
• Clondine – Antihypertensive given to opiate addicts to ease muscle cramps
• Methadone – Also for combating opiate use, a long-acting analgesic that binds to pain receptors in the brain, making other opiates ineffective and useless for getting high
• Naltrexone (Vivitrol) – An opiate antagonist that reverses the effects of opiate substances, used primarily for rapid opiate detoxification (ROD) while a patient is anesthetized, sedated, or unconscious due to overdose.
• Buprenorphine (Suboxone) – An analgesic combination of opioid agonist and antagonist, meaning it binds heavily to opioid receptors, but only to a degree. Any attempts to reverse the effects are met with only partial success, although studies have shown it to be more effective than methadone with fewer doses.
The Importance of Drug and Alcohol Rehab after Withdrawal
Detox might just be the scariest ride of your life, and potentially more violent than anything you’ve ever experienced. But when the worst is over, it’s over. Walking through fire burns away the impure aspects of the self and leaves the essential elements of our inner nature free to be reconfigured. Rebirth brings a chance for renewal.
Detox leaves us feeling scared and vulnerable, which is why competent counseling services are so desperately needed. Therapy teaches valuable new skills for managing in the world, finding answers to our problems, and coming to terms with the pain in our lives without relying on substances to numb the mind.
Detox rids the body of lethal toxins, and then it’s up to each of us to choose the path we take from there.
Tell Us: What’s the most terrifying thought about getting clean and staying sober for you? The change in surroundings at rehab? Going through detox? Therapy? Coming home? Or just being without drugs or alcohol for the first time?
Tags: Drug Addiction Treatment, drug withdrawal symptoms, drug-rehab
