Physician-assisted detoxification is highly recommended for those who are starting the process of becoming sober, as detoxification is the process of withdrawing harmful addictive substances from your body. Withdrawal symptoms can be incredibly dangerous if the substance abstains too quickly or there is no medical supervision around it. Including physicians, supervision allows for quick interventions such as providing controlled levels of specific medication to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms. The most severe symptoms of withdrawal include hallucinations, seizures, and more, so it can be life-saving to have a medical professional around to ensure that the detoxification process is as safe as possible.

Many doctors will prescribe controlled medications to those who are recovering from an addiction, typically to treat mood disorders that might be making their recovery more difficult or making them more likely to relapse. One of the main causes of addiction is mental health issues, so having the means to prevent the development of mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or OCD can be a deciding factor in whether someone is able to remain sober. A commonly prescribed medication to alleviate symptoms of a mood disorder includes ketamine. In addition, medication is frequently prescribed during the detoxification process to help manage withdrawal symptoms. These medications include methadone, naltrexone, baclofen, and many more. The specific medication that is prescribed depends primarily on which symptoms will likely need to be treated, what kind of substance the person is addicted to, and how severe the symptoms will likely be. Again, these medications are given in a very controlled manner and are only used to make the recovery process easier.

The medications that are used in treatment plans for addiction recovery are primarily focused on making changes in the brain to make the process easier for the patient. For those who are recovering from an opioid addiction, doctors are able to prescribe a medication that blocks the opioid receptors in the brain, stopping the body from experiencing the euphoria that is associated with opioid drugs. Some medications, such as naloxone, also work to reverse the effects that opioid drugs have on the brain. This prevents the person with the addiction from experiencing a “high” if they were to relapse, making the substance abuse less likely to fully develop again. Other commonly prescribed addiction medications work by maintaining the balance of chemicals in the brain during withdrawals, preventing potentially dangerous or delirious symptoms, and making the process much safer.

In order for a doctor to first diagnose addiction, the person with the suspected chronic condition must go in to see the doctor for a diagnosis. At the appointment, the doctor will ask a series of questions to determine the type of substance that is being used, how frequent the use is, and what kinds of withdrawal symptoms the patient has experienced, if any, in the past. There is a series of criteria that doctors will typically ask if the patient has exhibited any of them in the previous 12 months, and if the patient says yes to two or more of the questions, they likely are suffering from an addiction. Examples of these criteria include attempting to get a hold of the substance for long periods of time to use it or struggling or failing to fulfill obligations with work, family, or friends. These criteria will help the doctor determine the severity of any dependence the patient may have on the substance, allowing them to make a more accurate diagnosis and provide a detailed treatment plan for recovery.

Choose the most appropriate drug or alcohol detox treatment for you and get immediate help at Psychiatry Unplugged. We have convenient locations to serve you in Los Angeles CA, and Glendale CA. For more information, call now or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Los Angeles CA, Glendale CA, Beverly Hills CA, Santa Monica CA, Hollywood CA, Burbank CA, Pasadena CA, and surrounding areas.