Now there’s medically-assisted treatment in a private doctor’s office for drug or alcohol dependency. Stephen M. Silverman, M.D., board certified in addiction medicine, is an expert at helping people rid themselves of destructive addictions and dependencies without experiencing the unpleasant side-effects of withdrawal. People may have become accidentally addicted to prescription pain medications, which were prescribed by their doctors for medical conditions. Others have entered into addiction through so-called “recreational use”.
In a non-judgmental atmosphere, you will be able to escape the tyranny of substance-abuse through medication-assisted treatment, that will eliminate discomfort and cravings. Gradually, the medication assistance will be reduced over time allowing you to break the painful cycle of addiction.
Medication assistance treatment for the major addictions—opiates, alcohol, nicotine, and benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, etc.), when combined with individual counseling, gives the best opportunity for the motivated patient to succeed in his recovery.
Medication assisted withdrawal (ambulatory detox) may be useful for some people, to ease the transition from an abused substance to one that will keep them safe from relapsing. For instance, transitioning from an opiate to the opiate blocker and relapse prevention medication, Vivitrol, requires seven to ten days of abstinence. During that waiting period symptoms of withdrawal can be eased or eliminated by other benign medications.
Referral to intensive out-patient counseling may be part of an overall treatment plan, especially for relapse prevention.
Problem Gambling
Opioid Addiction Treatments
Medications useful for combating opiate (oxycodone, Percocet, Vicodin, heroin) addiction include Suboxone and other brand name buprenorphine containing compounds. Alternatively, Vivitrol (extended release naltrexone) has become popular because it is not an opiate and requires only once- per -month dosing. […MORE]
Prescription Tranquillizer Addiction Benzodiazepines (benzos)
Valium, Xanax, Klonopin and Ativan are common anti-anxiety medications that are frequently abused. They have been called “a martini in a pill”. Taken by prescription or borrowed from family or friends, the “benzos” become dependency creating. People begin to need them and quitting becomes impossible. Also, when used in combination with alcohol or opiates, they become quite dangerous.[…MORE]
Alcohol Addiction Treatments
There are a number of medications available for treating alcohol dependence. One medication, Antabuse, useful for some, employs negative reinforcement for its effectiveness- it will cause people to become ill if they were to consume any alcohol. Another medication, acamprosate, (Campral) acts on receptors that alcohol acts upon, thereby reducing the urge to drink.[…MORE]
Nicotine Addiction, Smoking Cessation
Several medication assisted treatments, either alone or in combination, are available. Nicotine replacement therapy in the form of patches, gum or lozenges, may be used as a first line approach. Initially, the nicotine replacement dosage should match the nicotine intake from smoking, then gradually reduced. Alternatively, Chantix may be useful for some, while the medication, Zyban, will be appropriate for others. Zyban may be combined with nicotine replacement therapy.
Medication Assisted Out-Patient
Detox (Ambulatory Detox)
Ambulatory detox is a process by which a person may discontinue a medication or drug over a short period of time, with the assistance of other medications to treat any withdrawal effects. This process is usually reserved for transitioning to a prescribed therapeutic medication: for instance a person may quit taking oxycodone, heroin or even Suboxone, then after seven to ten days (or 14 days in the case of Suboxone) the person may receive the non-narcotic Vivitrol injection. Vivitrol serves as an opiate blocker, effectively blocking the effects of any opiate, thereby preventing relapse to opiates.
