During drug addiction detox, medication may be an important part of your treatment plan. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) uses FDA-approved medications to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making the detox process more comfortable and supporting a safer recovery. MAT medications can help people withdrawing from opioids such as heroin and morphine, as well as alcohol. Learn more about medication-assisted treatment for addiction today!
What is Withdrawal?
When someone abuses drugs or alcohol on a regular basis, their brain gets used to having these substances in their system. Addiction is a brain disease that causes the brain to crave drugs or alcohol in order to make a person feel normal. The brain forgets how to function without substances in the system, and if a person stops taking them, the body goes into withdrawal.
Unpleasant and difficult side effects often occur during the withdrawal process, including physical, emotional, and psychological ones. The length and severity of withdrawal symptoms vary, depending on the substances used, how long they were used, and in what amount.
MAT is primarily used to treat heroin and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Usage of MAT for these addictions helps users navigate the detox process with fewer occurrences of withdrawal symptoms. This makes them more likely to complete the detox process and sustain a longer recovery from their substance use disorders.
Heroin Detox Symptoms
Heroin detox is considered one of the most challenging because of how unpleasant the symptoms can be. People who stop using heroin abruptly may return to use as withdrawal symptoms intensify, particularly as the body seeks relief from the physical and psychological effects of withdrawal.
Returning to heroin usage can lead to an overdose once the person’s tolerance level has decreased.
Withdrawal symptoms common during heroin detox include:
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Muscle Aches
- Sweating
- Yawning
- Runny Nose
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach Cramps
Heroin Detox Medications
Heroin detox medications work to help relieve the symptoms of withdrawal. A person who experiences reduced withdrawal symptoms is more likely to complete detox. There are currently four different heroin detox medications used in rehab facilities today. These include:
1. Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. As a partial opioid agonist, it binds to opioid receptors in the brain and can reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings without producing the same effects as full opioid agonists such as heroin. Buprenorphine may be used during withdrawal management and can also be continued as a long-term medication to support recovery and reduce the risk of returning to opioid use. The length of treatment varies by individual, and any decision to reduce or discontinue buprenorphine should be made with a qualified healthcare provider.
2. Clonidine
Clonidine does not help reduce heroin cravings but relieves withdrawal symptoms, making detox easier. Withdrawal symptoms it helps with include anxiety, agitation, muscle aches, sweating, runny nose, and stomach cramps. Clonidine may be used during opioid withdrawal to help reduce symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, restlessness, and other physical discomforts, making the withdrawal process more manageable.
3. Naltrexone
Another medication used to treat opioid use disorder is naltrexone. This medication works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, helping reduce the effects of opioids and prevent opioid-related euphoria if a person uses them again. Naltrexone can help reduce the risk of returning to opioid use as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment plan. Unlike opioid medications such as methadone and buprenorphine, naltrexone is not an opioid and does not carry the same risk of physical dependence. However, it must be started after a sufficient period of opioid abstinence to avoid precipitating withdrawal. Naltrexone may be an appropriate treatment option for people recovering from opioid use disorder, including those who have previously used heroin, prescription opioids, or other opioids.
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Detox Nashville is a premier leader in the provision of addiction treatment services. If you or someone you love is in need of professional care to address a substance use disorder, reach out to us right now at (615) 845-4747 to speak with an admissions specialist who can get you started on the road to recovery.
Alcohol Detox Symptoms
Alcohol detox can affect a person’s physical and mental health. Many people experience severe mood issues and can even have psychotic episodes during this time.
The most common alcohol detox symptoms are:
- Panic attacks
- Migraines
- High Blood Pressure
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Delirium Tremens (DTs)
- Hallucinations
- Severe Insomnia or Nightmares
- Depression or Thoughts of Suicide
- Psychosis
Alcohol Detox Medications
Medical-assisted detox for alcohol addiction works by reducing withdrawal symptoms. People with severe alcohol addictions often find that deciding whether to take alcohol detox medications can be a matter of life and death. The reason is that they risk experiencing serious medical symptoms during detox, like seizures and delirium tremens, which MAT can help avoid.
The options for alcohol detox medications include:
Benzodiazepines
Also known as benzos, this is the most commonly used alcohol detox medication. It helps people relax and eases anxiety, depression, and other mental health-related side effects of alcohol withdrawal. It is also effective at preventing seizures.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone is not used to treat acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Instead, it can help reduce alcohol cravings and decrease the rewarding effects associated with drinking, which may help individuals reduce alcohol use and lower the risk of returning to heavy drinking.
Clonidine
Clonidine relieves withdrawal symptoms related to alcohol detox. These symptoms include muscle aches, sweating, runny nose, stomach cramps, anxiety, and agitation.
Begin Medication-Assisted Treatment in Nashville, TN
Are you ready to escape addiction once and for all? Consider medication-assisted treatment for addiction. Here at Detox Nashville, we have many tools, including medication-assisted treatment, to help you detox safely with fewer withdrawal symptoms. The comfort and safety of MAT, especially during the fragile withdrawal period, is second to none. Using MAT for addiction gives you a much better chance of staying sober and experiencing less discomfort as you progress through detox and the next treatment steps. We accept Cigna and BCBS insurance to help cover costs.
Contact Detox Nashville today! Our admissions coordinators will be happy to answer any questions you have.
