When we hear about drugs and alcohol, there is a distinction even though both are addictive to the body. “Alcohol and other drugs” or “drugs and alcohol” are common phrases used to emphasize how drugs and alcohol cause dependency in different ways. Here we break down the differences between drug and alcohol recovery programs and why users may want to incorporate the inclusion or exclusion of comfort medication to ease withdrawal processes.
Their Own Categories
The withdrawal specific to chemical dependency places drug rehabilitation in its own category. Likewise, detoxing from alcohol has its own withdrawal process that includes symptoms not commonly experienced by those overcoming drug addiction. Given that symptoms differ, specific therapies are recommended for each kind of addiction. Most alcohol rehabs include treatment for many of the common withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol addiction recovery. For instance, delirium is frequently experienced by those going through detox, which is not something experienced by those overcoming drug addiction.
Around 5% of recovering alcoholics require medical attention to proceed through treatment safely. The most severe symptoms are felt by individuals who have been drinking for a vast number of years. The medication that assists with alcoholic recovery is not the same as those for overcoming drug addiction. Naltrexone is used to help alcohol dependency as it is used to prevent brain pathways from delivering alcohol cravings to the person. Additional medications used act as a kind of negative conditioning or aversion therapy to motivate patients not to drink. These drugs cause palpitations and other negative symptoms if they choose to drink. To find a rehab with both treatments, you can visit this site.
Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Many drug and alcohol rehab programs differ based on the medications used to ease the withdrawal process. Methadone is used to detox from chemical dependency with greater ease. This medication often acts as a substitute for the substances that the user is addicted to, making the withdrawal process easier for them as it allows for symptoms to subside. Methadone is versatile and can mimic the chemicals in commonly used drugs like painkillers and heroin without the consequences of addiction. In this way, the recovering addict can overcome physical dependency without enduring the withdrawal. Although the recovering addict will be off substance cold turkey, the use of methadone makes the user feel that they have drugs in them.
Medicine Or No Medicine
Detoxing from psychological components takes longer; however, many psychological addiction aspects also subside once the body is entirely off the addictive substance. Some recovering addicts avoid recovery programs that utilize medication assistance as they feel it may interrupt their ability to abstain from substance abuse in the future altogether. The slower nature of overcoming psychological addiction is another reason why some addicts choose programs that help patients without added drugs.
There are various similarities and differences between drug and alcohol programs and their withdrawal processes. It’s essential to consider the individual factors that influence treatment to make the treatment decisions that are right for you.
