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Medication-Assisted Treatment

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Some recent addiction treatment approaches have become popular due to their effectiveness in treating symptoms of drug withdrawal. medication-assisted treatment or MAT is chief among these addiction services. Due to its effectiveness, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved MAT as an evidence-based practice.

MAT has been proven to improve the physical and mental health of patients living with a substance use disorder. It also reduces the more uncomfortable and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms during the detox process. Fortunately, Believe Detox Center offers certified medication-assisted treatment in Los Angeles.

What Is Withdrawal?

When a person becomes addicted to alcohol, opioids, like fentanyl or some other drug, their body adapts to the constant presence of the substance they are abusing. Withdrawal happens if that person abruptly ends their substance use. It can also occur if they are unable to get the drug on which they’ve grown so dependent. In response, their body may react with a variety of uncomfortable symptoms.

Depending on which drug a person has grown dependent upon, withdrawal can include both physical and psychological distress. In some cases, the symptoms attached to withdrawal can be life-threatening. In other cases, the painful experience of withdrawal can push a person back toward abusing substances. Therefore, a professionally monitored detoxification program is vital to one’s addiction recovery.

With medical professionals there to monitor and ease the symptoms of withdrawal, the detox process can proceed safely and with minimal discomfort. During detox, we sometimes employ medication-assisted treatment in Los Angeles. We do this to ease the more extreme symptoms of heroin and alcohol withdrawal.

Heroin Detox Symptoms

Many consider heroin detox to be one of the most difficult types of detox to endure, due to the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. That is why so many people who attempt to stop using heroin without medical intervention relapse—they cannot handle the withdrawal symptoms.

The withdrawal symptoms that often occur during heroin detox include:

  • Restlessness
  • Agitation
  • Muscle soreness
  • Sweating
  • Runny Nose
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach cramps and diarrhea

Heroin Detox Medications

Medications used during the detoxification process can greatly reduce the emotional and psychological symptoms of chemical withdrawal. Fortunately, new medications exist to relieve the worst symptoms of heroin withdrawal. These medications have saved countless lives since a person who experiences only mild withdrawal symptoms is far more likely to complete the detoxification process.

Detox centers currently use four different heroin detox medications, which are:

Methadone. This is a slow-release opioid commonly used in heroin detox. It does not instill a “high” in the user but instead tricks the brain into thinking they have used heroin. This then prevents withdrawal symptoms and eliminates cravings. Some medications that are prescribed for substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder are prone to abuse by some patients. Methadone, for instance, is often combined with benzodiazepines to create a dangerous, sometimes fatal drug cocktail.

Buprenorphine.  Buprenorphine is a “partial opioid agonist.” Like methadone, buprenorphine is an opioid, only not as potent. Buprenorphine staves off withdrawal symptoms, producing moderate feelings of euphoria, thus tricking the brain into thinking it has used heroin. Those taking buprenorphine for heroin detox eventually require medical supervision to wean themselves off the drug.

Naltrexone. Naltrexone is sold under the brand names Vivitrol and Revia. Naltrexone works to reduce heroin cravings by blocking the opioid receptors in the brain. In this way, if a person uses heroin again, they will not get “high.” Another benefit of naltrexone is that it does not carry a risk of drug dependency.

Alcohol Detox Symptoms

Many people with alcohol use disorders experience serious mood swings–even psychotic episodes during withdrawal. Additionally, other symptoms they endure can last several months. Either way, alcohol withdrawal can cause disturbances to someone’s sleep patterns, emotional and physical health, work, and family life.

The most common alcohol detox symptoms are:

  • Panic attacks
  • Migraines
  • High blood pressure
  • Seizures
  • Tremors and Delirium Tremens (DTs)
  • Hallucinations
  • Insomnia
  • Psychosis
  • Depression

Alcohol Detox Medications

Alcohol detox medications work by reducing withdrawal symptoms. Those at risk of experiencing serious medical symptoms during alcohol detox, such as seizures, can benefit greatly from certain prescribed medications. The alcohol detox medication we use at Believe Detox Center is Naltrexone.

Naltrexone does not reduce withdrawal symptoms or cravings for alcohol but prevents the user from feeling the effects of alcohol if they drink it again. Alcohol also causes the Naltrexone user to experience a series of negative side effects that makes drinking extremely unpleasant. As a result, this helps people in recovery stay sober.

Benefits of MAT in Los Angeles

At Believe Detox Center, we offer proven addiction treatment using medication-assisted treatment in Los Angeles. Whether someone has an addiction to synthetic opioids, natural opioids, or alcohol, we can help. Aside from treatment, our experts use medications to manage symptoms for a painless withdrawal.

Trained Therapists

When it comes to recovering from drug addiction, medication alone is not enough. Trained therapists ensure the MAT program’s success and safety. With years of experience, our therapists boast a broad knowledge of medication, withdrawal, and human behavior. They will help someone to seek addiction recovery while managing their symptoms.

Management of Withdrawal Symptoms

MAT is among the best-known practices to deal with the harsh symptoms of opioid and alcohol withdrawal. Common withdrawal symptoms like high fever, insomnia, depression, anxiety, abdominal cramps, and seizures are controlled and reduced via medication-assisted treatment in Los Angeles.

Some Things to Know about MAT

A common misconception associated with MAT is that it is simply switching out one drug for another. This is not true. In fact, MAT relieves withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings that many experiences while in recovery.

This has been proven to promote stability in the patient, helping them do the necessary clinical work needed to achieve long-term recovery. Keep in mind, MAT is not a “silver bullet” approach to addiction recovery. An MAT program can fail if the patient is unwilling or unable to delve into their own emotions related to substance abuse.

Find Hands-On Medication-Assisted Treatment in Los Angeles

Believe Detox Center is the best place for you to move on to the next chapter in your life. From opioids to alcohol, our caring medical professionals will help you recover from substance abuse with a minimum of discomfort thanks to the wonders of medication-assisted treatment in Los Angeles. We will offer support each step of the way in a safe environment.

Contact us today and book a free consultation with one of our therapists.

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