Alcohol dependency can be a significant barrier to someone who wants to quit drinking. Dependency occurs when both the brain and the body cannot function (or do not want to function) without alcohol in the system. Therefore, trying to overcome your addiction becomes extremely difficult without some type of alcohol detox medications.
This problem becomes more complex as a person is trying to go through an alcohol detox program and experiences medical problems during the withdrawal period. The withdrawal symptoms can be painful or cause you to experience a tremendous amount of discomfort. For this reason, a treatment specialist may prescribe alcohol detox medications as a part of your alcohol addiction treatment in Mahanoy City PA.
Withdrawal Symptoms You May Experience During Detox
Due to the potential for severe side effects or medical responses to your withdrawals, a physician may give you medication to help lessen the impact of the withdrawal symptoms at a drug and alcohol rehab center. Some of these symptoms may include:
- Seizures
- Nausea
- Shakiness and sweating
- Extreme anxiety, anger, or depression
- Hallucinations
- Vomiting
While these withdrawal symptoms may make you feel like you have a severe medical issue, you will find that they will pass and that you will slowly but surely start feeling better. However, some medical issues are serious enough for medication. This is why most professionals recommend that you spend time in a heavily monitored detox center while your system is cleaning itself out and getting rid of the toxins.
Medications We May Prescribe During Detox
Some medications that our center may prescribe as a part of our alcohol addiction treatment program include:
- Antabuse
- Revia
- Lioresal
- Campral
The FDA has approved these medications to help you with your alcohol-related symptoms. They may also be used to discourage you from drinking alcohol. For instance, Antabuse doesn’t mix well with alcohol at all. If you take both Antabuse and alcohol, you will become seriously ill. While Antabuse does not address the withdrawal symptoms, it may deter you from drinking.
Campral is effective at curbing your cravings for alcohol. It is most effective if you have been clean for several days. However, just like a patch for nicotine addiction, Campral only works if you want to quit. If you have no desire to address your alcohol addiction, then Campral is useless. The drug will not keep you from drinking. It will only reduce your cravings.
Revia is much like Campral. It is used for people who suffered from opioid addiction. Doctors have also found that it can reduce your cravings. The drug does not address your withdrawal symptoms. So it is best to use Revia after you have undergone your detox treatment program.