For many people, the mere thought of curtailing their drug or alcohol use scares them. That’s because, for some addictions, the physical withdrawal can range from unpleasant to life-threatening. This is especially true of alcohol, opioids and heroin.
But here’s the thing: If you choose to get help at a rehab that offers medically assisted treatment, many of those rough patches can be smoothed over.
Medically assisted treatment can also help reduce cravings once the initial physical detox is complete.
The treatment of so many diseases, including cancer and heart disease, has advanced tremendously in the last few decades. That’s also true of addiction, meaning that you may be surprised by the different treatment options available.
It’s important to remember, though, that there is no magic pill that does all the work of recovery for you. To be successful, the following treatments should be used together with therapy.
Treatment for Alcohol Abuse
- Naltrexone is also used for alcohol addiction and works the same way as it does for opioid addiction—by blocking the “rewards” of drinking. This, in turn, helps subdue cravings.
- Acamprosate is thought to block withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety and restlessness. Research shows that it may be more effective for those with severe dependence.
- Disulfiram interferes with the way alcohol is processed, resulting in the accumulation of acetaldehyde. That causes a “very unpleasant” reaction, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, including feelings of nausea, flushing and heart palpitations. It’s effective with “highly motivated” patients and can also be useful in high-risk social settings, such as weddings.
Treatment for Opiate Addictions
- Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid that acts as a partial agonist at opioid receptors. It doesn’t produce the same euphoria or sedation that other opioids do, but it does reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms and carries a low risk of overdose.
- Methadone, an opioid agonist, has been used since the 1960s to treat opioid addiction. It can prevent withdrawal symptoms and block the effect of illicit opioids.
- Suboxone is the name given to the combination drug of buprenorphine and naloxone. The big advantage of Suboxone is that it blocks the effect of other opioids, while also ensuring that you won’t feel the emotional distress that usually makes recovery so difficult.
- Naltrexone is a synthetic opioid antagonist that is also used to reverse opioid overdoses. Because it blocks opioids from binding, the theory is that it will diminish cravings over time.
Substance Abuse Treatment at The Raleigh House
The Raleigh House is a residential treatment center located in Denver that believes addiction isn’t just a physical problem. Our master’s level trained therapists get to the root cause of addiction and will help you develop a strategy to manage and enjoy life without drugs or alcohol. Fill out our form or contact us today to learn more about our 90-day drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs.
