Drug Rehab Programs
From LoveToKnow Recovery
Drug rehab programs incorporate different methods of treatment. Counseling, 12-step programs, peer support, and behavioral therapy are often the basis for many programs. However, in the treatment of opioid addiction, several medications can be used to help lessen the pain of withdrawal and prevent relapse.
Drug Rehab Programs Using Medications
Drug rehab programs that use medications are those involving treatment of opioid addiction. Opioids include pain medication like morphine, codeine, and oxycodone. These are all prescription medications used to treat pain, but have recently made news as drugs to buy on the street. Opioids also include drugs like heroin.
Opioids can be all natural, semi-natural, or fully synthetic, but the result is the same. A feeling of euphoria, or a “high” is felt when taking the drug, and the user eventually needs to take more and more to achieve the same results each time.
Some of the medications drug rehab programs can treat opioid addiction include methodone, LAAM (levo-alpha-acetyl-methadol), naltrexone, naloxone, and buprenorphine.
Methodone
Methodone is a drug taken orally, usually every 24-36 hours. It works on the same receptors in the brain as opioids do. Methodone relieves cravings for drugs and blocks the receptors for feeling pleasure if a drug is used. It can be used for years as a maintenance therapy for keeping those who cannot abstain away from drugs. With correct usage, methadone does not interfere in daily activities. However, methodone does carry a risk for dependence and a person will experience withdrawal symptoms when concluding its use.
LAAM
LAAM is similar to methodone, but requires fewer dosages. It can block opioid effects for up to 72 hours. This makes it more convenient for persons who cannot take the daily dosage of methodone. Like methodone, it carries the risk of dependence and withdrawal when a patient discontinues use.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone can also block the effects of morphine, heroin, and other opiates. It works by blocking the receptors for opiates and preventing the release of dopamine so an addict no longer gets pleasure from the drugs. With regular use, cravings should diminish. Naltrexone's dosage can be arranged to last anywhere from one to three days, depending on the patient. Unlike methodone and LAAM, naltrexone carries no risk of physical dependence. In fact, it was recently approved for the treatment of alcoholism.
Naloxone
Naloxone is another opioid antagonist. Its most frequent use is for treatment of opioid overdoses. However, it can be used for some routine opioid treatment as well.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is also used to treat opioid addiction. It has weaker opiate effects than other forms of treatment, is less likely to cause overdose problems, has a lower level of dependence, and is thought to cause less respiratory depression than other opioid treatments. Although there is currently an injectable treatment available, the Food and Drug Administration is investigating making buprenorphine into a tablet to be taken orally.
Making Medications More Effective
No medication should be taken unless prescribed by a qualified doctor or medically-licensed therapist. All medications should be taken as prescribed and closely monitored by the administrating body. As with any drug, these medications have side effects that should be discussed with a doctor before undergoing any treatment.
Most of these drug rehab treatments have not undergone extensive studies for use in pregnant or nursing women. Severe side effects can occur when mixed with other drugs, so please discuss other prescriptions or drugs currently being used with your doctor.
Medications should not be used as a sole means of drug rehab or treatment. Studies have found medications to be most effective when used alongside treatments such as support groups and behavioral therapy counseling. The best drug rehab programs use this philosophy in developing treatment guidelines.
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© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
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