A key component of drug and alcohol addiction treatment is using medication. Medication for addiction doesn’t aim to cure it, but it facilitates the best opportunity for you to no longer feel the pull to use drugs or alcohol any longer. In addition, the proper medication for addiction may enable you to heal more fully and with less pain and discomfort. At San Antonio Recovery Center, we offer a range of treatment options, including withdrawal management medication, to support the recovery journey.
Common Medication for Addiction
To work effectively, doctors and therapists must match the right medications associated with the type of addiction present. Here are some of the most common medications used in addiction treatment.
For opioid use disorder, medications include:
- Buprenorphine works to eliminate or reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms by activating and blocking opioid receptors in the brain.
- Naltrexone is used to help prevent relapse after detoxification by working to block the brain’s opioid receptors and preventing these drugs from acting on them.
- Methadone is a common treatment that works to prevent withdrawal symptoms and reduces cravings.
For alcohol use disorder, medications include:
- Acamprosate works to reduce withdrawal symptoms by normalizing the function of the brain due to chronic alcohol use
- Naltrexone works to reduce alcohol-induced euphoria, making alcohol less enjoyable
- Disulfiram stops the enzyme involved in the metabolism of alcohol, creating an unpleasant reaction if a person uses alcohol
It’s also important to know that some people may benefit from additional treatment, especially if they have an underlying mental health disorder. For example, many who struggle with addiction face depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other conditions that may limit recovery without the use of medications to create more balance and minimize symptoms.
Medication-Assisted Treatment Makes It Easier to Stop Using
The goal of medication-assisted treatment is to provide more support to a person as he or she stops using drugs. They typically work to reduce the effect of the drug, making it no longer enjoyable to use. Over time, the brain learns that the drug is no longer pleasurable and stops seeking it out.
Other drugs work to reduce the pain of withdrawal symptoms and limits cravings for the drug. This helps to ensure the individual is able to stop using without feeling the intense pull to relapse. This may make it easier to stop taking these drugs for good.
Addiction and Medication – It’s Just One Component of a Bigger Treatment Plan
Treating addiction using medications is helpful and often necessary. However, it is only one part of a larger plan for overcoming addiction and dependence. In nearly all situations, people also need a supportive environment and therapy. This type of therapy helps a person learn how to manage their symptoms while also aiding in working through past challenges. For some people, it is about understanding why this happened so they can work on overcoming those challenges more fully.
This can be done in individual and group therapy sessions. It may involve dealing with past trauma or overcoming mental health disorders. Sometimes, it means working with a therapist to develop strategies for avoiding relapse.
At San Antonio Recovery Center, we use a variety of therapies to support recovery, including medication-assisted treatment. These are a component of the care we offer through programs such as:
- Men’s drug addiction rehab
- Women’s drug addiction rehab
- Intensive outpatient program
- Aftercare treatment program
- 90-day treatment programs
Find the Support You Need at San Antonio Recovery Center
Using medication for addiction is just one of the many types of tools we offer at San Antonio Recovery Center to support your best possible outcome. Our team is dedicated to providing an affordable and comprehensive treatment plan to ensure long-term recovery. Learn more today by calling 866.957.7885 or connecting with us online.
