Medication-Assisted Treatment In Memphis, TN

Some people hesitate getting help for addiction because they don’t know that medication-assisted treatment in Memphis can be provided to them. They worry about the pain of going through detox. As a result, many people put off getting treatment. Detox West Tennessee understands these concerns. We offer medication-assisted treatment in Memphis to make detoxing easier. This proven approach helps ease the withdrawal symptoms that can happen during detox. The person has a more comfortable time and proves more likely to complete detox. Last but not least, we accept Cigna and UHCinsurance to cover costs for those who qualify. 

What is Medication-Assisted Treatment in Memphis?

A myth exists that when a person goes through detox, it has to be painful and drawn out. Because of this, many people feel scared about detoxing. As a matter of fact, medication-assisted treatment can dispel this fear. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) involves the use of both therapy and medications. MAT use can start during detox and extend into further treatment options. 

MAT works well for both alcohol and drug addictions. It proves especially effective for treating heroin withdrawal symptoms. These FDA-approved meds help treat some symptoms while they occur, and they can prevent some from even starting. This therapy type can also ease cravings for substances that often arise when someone stops using them.  

Using MAT helps people have a more comfortable time in detox. As well, it can help detox take less time. Another benefit of using MAT is that those who use it tend to stay in treatment longer. 

Detox done with MAT can also be safer. This is because MAT is supervised by medical professionals. Detox done alone at home can be dangerous. People trying it may not recognize when dangerous side effects happen. MAT means a medical staff monitors the person for the entire time in detox. 

Alcohol Detox Withdrawal Symptoms

Some people may be unaware of the variety of withdrawal symptoms that can happen during alcohol detox. Both physical and emotional ones can occur. These include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• High blood pressure
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Exhaustion
• Insomnia
• Nightmares
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Suicidal thoughts
• Psychosis
• Alcohol cravings

People with severe addictions to alcohol may suffer from delirium tremens (DTs) when they stop drinking. About five percent of those who detox from alcohol experience DTs. As a result, they require medication-assisted treatment in Memphis. DTs can cause seizures and delusions, and even prove deadly. 

Medications Used for Alcohol Withdrawal

Typically, MAT commonly uses 3 different medications as its treatment. Because of this, many people do not suffer needlessly. Options for medication-assisted treatment in Memphis for alcohol detox include:

Benzodiazepines: Called “benzos” prove effective for many when used as part of MAT for alcohol withdrawal. It can also help prevent seizures. Additionally, benzos aid with psychological side effects that can come with alcohol detox. In the event that a person feels anxiety or depression, benzos can help them feel better.

Clonidine: This med helps relieve symptoms such as anxiety and agitation. Clonidine can help with flu-like symptoms like sweating, runny nose, muscle aches, and stomach cramps that may happen. 

Naltrexone: This med does not prevent withdrawal symptoms from happening. It does help reduce alcohol cravings. It does this by blocking a person’s ability to feel drunk if they do consume alcohol. Instead, they end up feeling negative side effects. Consequently, they are less likely to want to drink again. 

Heroin Detox Withdrawal Symptoms

A variety of withdrawal symptoms also can occur as part of heroin detox. These include both physical and emotional types. These symptoms include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
  
• Diarrhea
• Muscle aches
• Runny nose
• Stomach cramps
  
• Dehydration
• Sweating
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Drug cravings

Medications Used for Heroin Withdrawal

When it comes to MAT for heroin withdrawal, patients can get 4 types of meds. Each provides its own unique advantages. The options include:

Buprenorphine: This med has similar effects to that of methadone. It produces low to moderate euphoric feelings. The brain is tricked into believing heroin has been consumed. Because of this effect, buprenorphine can be used long-term. It not only helps prevent relapse but also relieves some withdrawal symptoms. 

Clonidine: This med does not prevent heroin cravings from happening. However, it does help reduce withdrawal symptoms which include sweating, muscle aches, anxiety, and flu-like symptoms. The result is a less taxing time in detox. 

Methadone: Methadone is a slow-release opioid that can be used to help treat heroin addiction. It does not cause a person to feel high. Instead, it tricks the brain into thinking they have taken heroin. Cravings for the drug do not happen. Lastly, this medication generally is used long-term, so a doctor will need to supervise when a person goes off it.  

Naltrexone: This drug helps block opioid receptors in a person’s brain. Because of this, if a person does use heroin, they will not feel high. Conversely, they will have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, which serves as a reason to avoid using heroin again.

Medication-Assisted Treatment in Memphis, TN

When a person reaches the point that a substance use disorder has taken over, they want expert help. With this in mind, we offer medication-assisted treatment in Memphis, Tennessee which makes all the difference. We provide detox for alcohol and several kinds of drugs like morphine, cocaine and prescription drugs like Xanax, for example. We help people get off substances for good near Memphis, Collierville and Jackson, Tennessee and near Jonesboro, Arkansas. Then, they can begin the next phase of treatment with a clear head.

Contact Detox West Tennessee today and let us explain how we can help you change your life.