RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE DEPENDENCY ADDICTION, & CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS
Healing Wholeness Recovery
FAQ's about drugs, alcohol and their treatment
What is detox? How long can withdrawal symptoms can last?
---- Detox. or medical withdrawal means treat the withdrawal symptoms with medications when patients stop using alcohol or drugs after prolonged use. Detox. is the beginning of recovery process, so detox. needs to be safe and as comfortable as possible for future outcome when patients are sober. Patients relapse because the have urge / craving for alcohol and drugs when they are sober ( after detox.), also there are protracted withdrawal symptoms which can last weeks even months, most common are dysphoria (not feeling right), irritability, anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia (sleeping problems).
Solution: We at MALIBUHORIZON detox patients from alcohol and all other drugs comfortably using the newest medications available. We treat protracted withdrawal symptoms and use medications which can reduce urge and craving.
Phone: 877.338.6964
E-mail: help@malibuhorizon.com
Are there medications used during recovery (for relapse prevention)?
----Yes, there are specific medications for that. If we can treat the prolonged withdrawal symptoms and control urge and craving with the help of medications along with psycho-social intervention, we have a better chance to keep patients off drugs and alcohol. Since we know neuro-biological basis (how drugs and alcohol effects brain) of these symptoms, we can specifically target them depending on which drug or alcohol is involved (different medications for different drugs).
Why do we need medical detox?
----People can die during detox or withdrawal, especially when withdrawing from alcohol, benzodiazepines ( Xanax, Klonopin, Valium), soma, heroin, barbiturates and other painkilles. Why people die? During detox patients can have seizures, delirium and other medical complications caused by drug of abuse or alcohol. Furthermore people don’t want to stop using medications due to the fear of a very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. People usually don’t die from cocaine or meth withdrawal but these drugs are fatal during use (cause seizure, stroke, heart attack, arrhythmia etc.) However, medical attention is warranted when people are using heavily or using multiple drugs which is the case most of the time. In our opinion “social detox” is not appropriate because patients are not attended by medical professionals to determine risks of individual patients (SAVE LIVES!). One should not be denied medical attention!
Solution: at MALIBUHORIZON we detox safely and comfortably.
Phone: 877.338.6964
E-mail: help@malibuhorizon.com
What medications are used for alcohol withdrawal?
---First a physician should determine who is appropriate for withdrawal from alcohol within an outpatient setting with minimal medical supervision or who needs to be admitted to a inpatient setting based on their history of abuse and overall medical condition.
Usually benzodiazepines or barbiturates along with hydration and vitamins are sufficient in most of the uncomplicated cases of alcohol withdrawal. Again detox gets complicated when patients are using multiple drugs (for example alcohol and painkillers).
Is benzodiazepine (Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Soma) detox life threatening? How do you detox. from these drugs?
---Yes, people can die from withdrawal of above mentioned drugs (same as alcohol.)
Detox from these drugs could last at least two weeks or more depending on the time and dose used. There are several ways to detox from from these drugs.
Solution: at MALIBUHORIZON we use combinations of medications whiich are individually tailored.
How do you detox from opiates (heroin, methadone and other painkillers)?
---In MALIBUHORIZON we use Buprenorphine ( Suboxone , Subutex) which is a partial agonist of opiate receptor, detox. usually smooth because we use other medications as well to minimize unpleasant feelings/ symptoms.
What is Buprenorphine?
---Buprenorphine ( Suboxone, Subutex) is specifically FDA indicated for the treatment of opiate dependence; it could be used during detox. or for maintenance (long term use) Buprenorphine has some good properties such as less abuse potential (because it is a partial agonist, not full agonist like heroin, methadone or other painkillers), doesn’t cause respiratory depression during overdose, withdrawal symptoms less severe than other opiates including heroin and methadone. IT IS A WONDERFUL DRUG!—it can save and change people’s lives.
The practice of using buprenorphine (Subutex or Suboxone) in an inpatient rehabilitation setting is increasing rapidly. These rehabilitation programs consist of "detox" and "treatment" phases. The detoxification ("detox") phase consists of medically-supervised withdrawal from the drug of dependency, sometimes aided by the use of medications such as buprenorphine and oxazepam. The treatment phase begins once the patient receives medical clearance and has completed the initial acute detoxification process. This portion of treatment is comprised of multiple therapy sessions, which include both group and individual counseling with various chemical dependency counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other professionals.
Patients who enter rehabilitation voluntarily, as opposed to those who are court-ordered, can often choose a facility with the option of only staying for detox, or they can enter treatment facilities that provide the option to complete both detox and rehab. Completing both portions of the treatment increases the probability of success. Rehabilitation programs typically average about 28 days for primary care, but some may extend anywhere from 90 days to 6 months in an extended care unit.
Buprenorphine is sometimes used only during the detox protocol with the purpose of reducing the patient's use of mood-altering substances. It considerably reduces opioid withdrawal symptoms that are normally experienced by opioid-dependent patients on cessation of those opioids, including diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills, cold sweats, muscle and bone aches, muscle cramps and spasms, restless legs, agitation, gooseflesh, insomnia, nausea, watery eyes, runny nose and post-nasal drip, nightmares, etc. The buprenorphine detox protocol usually lasts about 7-10 days, provided that the patient does not need to be detoxed from any additional substances such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, or alcohol.
During this time, Suboxone or Subutex will be administered by a nurse or doctor. Generally, the patient receives a single dose each day (despite the fact that a single dose lasts for up to 48 hours, medical professionals in many treatment facilities administer a dose every 24 hours to ensure a consistent active level of the medication remains in the patient's central nervous system; also the level of dosage is usually around the previously described plateau, after which there is no noticeable increase in the effects of the drug). Typically, the initial daily dose totals around 8-16mg (of either Suboxone or Subutex). The dosage is slowly tapered each day and the medication is usually stopped 36-48 hours prior to the end of the detox program, with the patient's vitals monitored up until discharge from the detox program.
Solution: We at Malibuhorizon use Buprenorphine ( Subutex and Suboxone) for detox from heroin, methadone and other opiate pain killers. Use of Buprenorphine makes the detox process more comfortable than traditional methods using clonidine or other medications. Detox can be completed comfortably within 7 to 10 days. It may take little longer if someone is withdrawing from methadone. You don't have to be fearful of excruciating withdrawal symptoms, because we use BUPRENORPHINE!
Phone: 877.338.6964
E-mail: help@malibuhorizon.com
What is VIVITROL?
----Vivitrol is once a month long acting injection form of Naltrexone. Naltrexone has been approved for treatment of alcohol dependence since 1995, which is an antagonist of opiate receptors. Alcohol stimulates the release of endorphins in the brain (makes people feel good!), which is blocked by Naltrexone, by this mechanism Naltrexone makes people not to seek alcohol, decreases craving and use. Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist used primarily in the management of alcohol dependence and opioid dependence. It is marketed as its hydrochloride salt, naltrexone hydrochloride, under the trade name Revia. In some countries, an extended-release formulation is marketed under the trade name Vivitrol.
Solution: We in MALIBUHORIZON use Naltrexone pills, Vivitrol ( long-acting once a month Naltrexone injection) and many other medications useful in alcohol dependence. Our success in treating alcohol and drug dependence comes from the approach of combination of pharmacological and psycho-social therapies. We believe in medications which can reduce urge and craving for alcohol and drugs since at least 50% of risk factors is genetic-biological.
Phone: 877.338.6964
E-mail: help@malibuhorizon.com
What are the effects of alcohol on body and brain?
---Alcohol can cause irreversible damage to heart, liver, pancreas (may cause diabetes), it can cause gastritis, cancer, neuropathy, sexual dysfunction, infection. Alcohol causes dementia, psychotic symptoms, depression and anxiety not to mention the social cost due to loss of work, trauma from accidents and fights, domestic violence, separation, divorce etc.
What are the effects of opiates?
---Opiates include heroin, painkillers (Vicodin, Norco, and Oxycontin), morphine, opium and others. Opiate intoxication could be fatal; it causes respiratory depression, coma, and seizure.
During withdrawal opiates can cause very unpleasant physical symptoms (that’s why people can’t stop by themselves) can cause delirium and seizures among other medical problems. Changes in the brain could be long lasting.
What are the effects of cocaine and meth.?
----Stimulants mainly cocaine and meth can cause high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack (most common cause of heart attack among young people is cocaine), arrhythmia and convulsion. Stimulants cause delusion, hallucinations, anxiety and depression. Methamphetamine is so powerful drug that can cause irreversible psychosis like Schizophrenia.
Do people need detox from cocaine and meth.?
---Yes, depending on the amount and time of use, medical and psychiatric complications, for example IV drug users can have heart infection, hepatitis, HIV, shooters abscess, psychosis from use. All medical and psychiatric consequences need to be evaluated and treated at the time of withdrawal. Many people become very anxious, agitated and violent when they stop using. People need safe environment and medical attention during withdrawal.
Are there any medications to decrease urge/craving for cocaine and meth ?
----YES.There are no FDA approved medications for cocaine and meth craving at this time, however, we have been using various combination of medications successfully for cocaine treatment and meth addiction treatment. We in MALIBUHORIZON formulated a combination of medications for meth craving, which is very effective. There are controlled studies showed a number of medications effective for cocaine addiction.We individualize medication treatment for cocaine and meth addiction @ MALIBUHORIZON.