Outpatient Detoxification This type of treatment is rife with fear and urban legend. Better defined as “withdrawal management,” it involves the use of safe medications and other modalities to more comfortably and more safely transition to a drug-free state. Sometimes, this involves the use of medications such as Suboxone®. In other situations, non-controlled medications can be used to treat mild withdrawal symptoms and to manage the anxiety and insomnia that are often present. This can often be done in an outpatient setting, most often for treating opioid use disorders; for a subset of patients, mainly those using large quantities of sedatives or alcohol, inpatient management may be recommended.
Medication Treatment Sometimes referred to as “Opioid Treatment Services” (previously “Medication Assisted Treatment”), this may involve the ongoing administration of safe opioid medications to alleviate or eliminate withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Effective recovery can then begin, as patients are able to break the cycle of craving and drug use, and can more successfully engage a recovery program. Historically, methadone was the first medication used for this type treatment; while still in use today, it has been surpassed by buprenorphine, which is the active ingredient in Suboxone®. Another approach is to use non-opioid medications such as Naltrexone and Vivitrol®, which block the effects of opioids and help alleviate cravings.
Treatment of Anxiety, Insomnia, Depression
Discontinuation of substances often results in severe anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Experiencing these side effects of withdrawal is a common trigger for relapse, and proper management of these symptoms greatly increases the likelihood of successful abstinence. Use of appropriate and safe medications and other treatments for anxiety, insomnia, and depression is important in all stages of recovery. Education of the patient and their family members on safe and effective treatments is imperative for success, and is a service we provide to all our patients.
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