Addiction Medication

Overview

Drug addiction is also referred to as 'Substance Use Disorder.' It is a condition that affects the brain and an individual's behavior, resulting in an inability to control the use of a legal/illegal drug or medicine. Addiction is a stage where the individual continues using the drug despite the damage it causes.

For some, this addiction starts with the experimental use of a recreational drug, while others tend to use it as a prescription for relief from a condition to which they become addicted in the long term.

Over time, the addicted individual may require larger doses to get the desired effect or sensation. The dosage increase can result in intense cravings. Attempts to avoid the medicine/drug will cause side effects (withdrawal symptoms).

Seeking advice from your healthcare provider, speaking to family, friends, and/or joining support groups can help overcome drug addiction.

What is Drug addiction?

Drug addiction is a brain disease. The drugs and medications affect one's brain, making it difficult to abstain from them, even if one wants to. This is a progressive disease that causes a person to lose control of the usage of certain substances despite the worsening consequences of that use. Substance use disorder can be life-threatening.

As most people believe, addictions are not a result of a lack of willpower or morality. Drug addictions can be more powerful and complex than most people imagine. Individuals with drug addiction find it difficult to quit, even if they want to. Drugs alter the brain to the extent that quitting becomes physically and mentally challenging. Addiction can require lifelong care and therapy.

Types

There are numerous types of drugs available in the market. Each type of drug can have different effects on your body. Some of the common types of drugs include the following:

• Opioids: Opioids are narcotic drugs used as pain relievers. These reduce pain signals the human brain receives and even alter how the brain responds to pain. Although safe to use, uncontrolled consumption of this drug can cause serious addiction. Excessive use of opioids will make the brain dependent on the drug. Some of the most commonly abused opioids include Heroin, Morphine, Fentanyl, Codeine, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Methadone, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Paregoric, Sufentanil, and Tramadol.
• Depressants: These are prescribed to help patients control symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, panic, and acute stress reactions. It slows down the activities of the brain and relaxes the body. Unfortunately, depressants can build up drug tolerance quickly and lead to addiction if taken without the guidance of a doctor.
  Some of the most commonly used depressants include Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, GHB, and Alcohol.
• Stimulants: These may include medical drugs and illegal street drugs. Stimulants increase functions such as awareness, alertness, energy, and mood temporarily, affecting the brain. These are also responsible for increasing the level of dopamine in the brain. Stimulants can make an individual experience euphoria. Stimulant users develop rapid drug tolerance, which makes them vulnerable to an overdose. The most commonly used stimulants include Cocaine, Caffeine, Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, and Methylphenidate.
• Hallucinogens: This category of drug alters the perception of reality and results in hallucinations. Hallucinogens cause dependency, serious addiction, and even long-term adverse side effects. Some of the most commonly used types of Hallucinogens include LSD, Psilocybin, DMT, Mescaline (peyote), PCP (phencyclidine), Ketamine, and Salvia.
• Cannabis: Also referred to as "weed" or "marijuana," cannabis is a mixture of leaves, flowers, or stems obtained from cannabis plants. The main active component is THC which causes drug abuse. The common effects of taking cannabis include a sense of relaxation, mild euphoria, increased appetite, and a distorted view of space and time. Consistent use of this drug will cause addiction and side effects such as brain damage and memory impairment. Some of the most commonly used forms of cannabis include Marijuana, Hashish, and Hash oil.

How Does It Work?

Treatment of addiction involves helping patients overcome the following symptoms:

• Bloodshot eyes
• Always looking tired
• Changes in appetite, usually eating less
• Changes in physical appearance, poor/dull complexion, or looking poorly groomed
• Craving for drugs (uncontrolled)
• Trouble or inability to complete tasks at work, school, or home
• Unexplained engagement in risky behaviors, despite understanding the negative consequences
• Inability to reduce or control drug use
• Problems with maintaining, saving, and earning income
• Weight loss

Success Rate

Statistics demonstrate that nearly 92,000 people died in the United States in 2020 from drug-involved overdoses. Relapse rates for drugs and alcohol are estimated at about 40-60% of individuals relapsing during and post-recovery.

Addiction is a chronic condition. Relapse (return) to drug and alcohol use is usually a part of the process. Research indicates that most individuals who are receiving and remaining in treatment stop abusing drugs and alcohol. They experience a reduction in their risky activity and an improvement in their social and psychological activities.

How long will it take to see the results of the Treatment?

Most addicted individuals require a minimum of three months in dedicated treatment under the guidance of an expert to become sober. According to studies, patients require longer treatment durations to recover more successfully. The exact time of treatment depends on the patient's age, drug exposure, type of addiction, and available support system.

What are the benefits?

Rehab and addiction treatment under the guidance of a medical professional is known to be the safest way to quit. Trying to quit on your own can be potentially dangerous or even fatal. Medical detox under the supervision of a physician and a therapist is beneficial in physically withdrawing from drugs. Guided assistance will help manage the common and discomforting withdrawal symptoms. Detox is a powerful way to prepare oneself for receiving further drug addiction treatment or therapy.

Rehab helps handle co-occurring disorders and common conditions that may occur alongside addiction, such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Rehab and guided treatment can help find the root causes of substance abuse and get your normal life back. A major part of a rehab program also involves developing skills and tools to help you reconnect with loved ones.

Risks and Complications of Drug Rehab

Drug detox rehab can make one experience a series of withdrawal symptoms (psychological or physical conditions) that occur while the body adjusts to the lack of drugs in the system. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, depression, sweating, sleeplessness, chills, hallucinations, mood swings, and restlessness.

The most serious reaction to withdrawal symptoms is relapse and even suicidal thoughts/actions.

Coping with the Negative Side Effects

There are many things one can do to cope with adverse side effects. Staying healthy by practicing a healthy diet and maintaining an exercise routine can help. Speaking to friends and other individuals battling the same issue can also help.

Positive Effects of Completing Rehab

The procedure will help prepare you for a better future. Being diligent in going through detox and rehab treatment will positively impact relationships, personal health, work productivity, sleep, a better life, and much more. During rehab treatment, the body will be cleansed of toxins. Drug addiction can be managed effectively with this treatment.

How to prepare for treatment?

Preparation for rehab can be challenging. Patients should be prepared to stay away from family for a specific period (this may be longer than you expect). This can be challenging, but you can prepare yourself by doing the following:

• Learning about the intricacies of the rehab program
• Fulfilling basic and important commitments before leaving
• Writing down expectations from the program
• You need to be open-minded and develop a mindset with patience and positivity. It is also important to understand that recovery takes a substantial amount of time.
• Spending a substantial amount of time with your loved ones and getting support and encouragement from loved ones is critical.
• Making efforts to stay physically fit.
• Eliminating distractions and temptations prior to leaving for the treatment.

Treatment Options

A wide variety of treatment options are available, and one can choose what best fits their individual needs under the guidance of our doctors. Treatment of addiction needs to be determined after considering various factors and the level of addiction of an individual. It is not one-size-fits-all. Here are some of the most common addiction treatment options:

Inpatient Rehab: These rehabs are structured treatment programs designed to address all facets of addiction. Patients would reside in a substance-free facility during the treatment and receive around-the-clock medical care combined with therapeutic support.

Outpatient Rehab: This is a form of comprehensive addiction care. Outpatient rehabs allow patients to be at their own homes while undergoing the recovery process. They can be with their family and even work while undergoing treatment. However, patients are at greater risk of triggers that challenge their sobriety. Therefore, these rehabs are best suited for individuals with mild forms of addiction.

Detoxification: Detoxification is helpful in safe withdrawal from drugs or alcohol. This is usually the first step in treating individuals recovering from moderate to severe forms of addiction. It may need medication-assisted therapy to ease the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Therapies: Therapies are used in addiction treatment after assessing the individual's health and substance abuse patterns. Some of the most commonly used therapies include:

• Biofeedback Therapy: It is a kind of drug-free therapy that helps individuals understand the involuntary processes of their bodies. The therapist places electronic sensors on patients' skin to monitor their brain activity. He/she recommends psychological techniques based on the activity to overcome addictions.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy: It can treat severe mental illnesses with a substance use disorder. This therapy aims at boosting one's self-esteem and prescribing stress-management skills. It also encourages individuals to remove triggers from their life.
• Experiential Therapy: It uses unconventional treatment methods to help addicts overcome repressed feelings and emotions that may have initially contributed to their addiction.
• Holistic Therapy: It focuses on one's overall well-being while treating physical symptoms of withdrawal. Common forms of this therapy include guided meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and art therapy.
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy: This therapy helps individuals learn ways to change any negative thoughts and behaviors attached to their addiction. It is used for individuals in substance abuse recovery with co-occurring conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder.
• Psychodynamic Therapy: It helps explore one's emotions to uncover ways their subconscious thoughts relate to addiction. This therapy is beneficial in identifying the underlying cause of substance use.
• Support Groups: After successfully finishing an addiction treatment program, joining support groups is one of the best ways to maintain oneself a drug-free state. These groups will help in staying on the path to recovery after treatment.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: It is a valuable treatment tool and versatile for different types of addiction, such as food addiction, alcohol addiction, and prescription drug addiction. CBT helps one recognize their unhealthy behavioral patterns while assisting in identifying triggers and developing coping skills. This therapy can be combined with other therapeutic techniques.
• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy: This helps one identify negative thoughts and offers ways to combat feelings of self-defeat. It allows one to understand and value the power of rational thinking within oneself.
• Contingency Management: Contingency Management (CM) is recommended for a variety of addictions, such as tobacco, alcohol, and narcotics. The therapy boosts one's positive behavior by offering tangible rewards. This treatment has been known to be successful for those combating relapse.
• 12-Step Facilitation: This therapy is often used to treat alcohol and substance abuse. Group therapy includes recognizing numerous negative consequences of addiction (social, physical, emotional, and spiritual). 12-Step facilitation therapy involves the acceptance of addiction and moving on to surrender to a higher power. Eventually, the therapy helps individuals with the transition to involvement in regular group meetings.
• Treatment with Medication: Medication plays a crucial role in recovery from drug addiction, especially in combination with behavioral therapies. Doctors may prescribe medications that can reduce cravings and improve mood. These medicines also reduce addictive behaviors.

Why Choose Larkin?

Our healthcare providers specialize in addiction and have many decades of experience in treating addiction and substance abuse disorders with medication and other therapies. We also treat conditions and problems related to addiction.

Our specialists are experienced, board-certified, and understand local cultures and subcultures well. They can offer local resources available for patient support to ensure a successful recovery from addiction. Our goal is for a safe, successful, and long-term recovery of any patient suffering from addiction.

Frequently Asked Questions