Drug addiction is a disease that cannot be cured by pharmacy remedies or without the help of specialists. No amount of willpower will help to survive the withdrawal period and completely stop using drugs. Addiction develops very quickly and affects both the physical body and the psyche of a person. Moreover, psychological dependence is much stronger than physiological dependence and it takes much longer to get rid of it. But the first thing that needs to be done in the treatment of drug addiction is to cure the body. For this purpose, medication treatment of drug addiction is used.
What is medication assisted treatment for drug addiction
Medication-assisted treatment of drug addiction includes the use of various medications and techniques that help patients overcome physical and psychological dependence on drugs. However, it is important to understand that medications should only be used under strict medical supervision and as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation programme. How does medication treatment work? It may involve the use of different medications and techniques:
- Substitution therapy (substitution treatment) – involves providing a drug dependent person with safer and less harmful drug analogues. For example, methadone and buprenorphine are often used to treat opiate dependence. These drugs help to reduce the desire to use drugs and alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
- Anticritical drugs – help to deal with the strong desire to use drugs by reducing the value of the drug in the eyes of the patient. An example of such a drug is Naloxone.
- Medications for the treatment of mental health disorders – often drug addiction is accompanied by mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. In such cases, antidepressants, anxiolytics or other medications may be used to stabilise the mental state.
- Medications for sleep disorders – Patients who have experienced drug addiction may experience sleep problems. Medications such as melatonin or insomnia medications can help to improve sleep quality.
- Overdose medications – In some cases, emergency medical intervention may be required to treat narcotic overdose. Naloxone is one of the medications that is used for emergency treatment of opioid overdose.
Medication-Assisted Drug Addiction Treatment Price (Cost)
| Inpatient medication-assisted drug addiction treatment | from 2700 UAH |
| Outpatient medication-assisted drug addiction treatment | 2400 UAH |
| Home medication-assisted drug addiction treatment | 3700 UAH |
| Drug implant | from 10000 UAH |
It is important to stress that drug treatment should only be provided as part of a medical programme and under the supervision of experienced professionals. Such programmes usually combine medication with psychotherapy and other support methods to ensure the best chance of recovery. Remember that medication alone cannot overcome drug addiction. Effective drug treatment is always a carefully selected set of measures.
How medication-assisted drug treatment is carried out
Drug addiction treatment should only be carried out in an inpatient setting at a specialised clinic. In some cases, it is allowed to provide first emergency treatment at home, after which the patient should be sent to a medical centre for further complex therapy. During the entire course of treatment, the patient is under round-the-clock supervision of doctors and medical staff. The inpatient facility provides an optimal environment for the physical and psychological recovery of patients with drug addiction.
