Learn more about drug and alcohol withdrawal treatment options in Dallas
While North Texas has made some strides in controlling the drug epidemic, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro continues to have one of the worst problems with illicit drugs in the state of Texas. One way things have improved over the past generations, however, is the availability of better drug rehab and treatment options in the Dallas area.
Compared to how things were a few decades ago, substance withdrawal management in Dallas is now much more personalized, with options for teens, individuals with multiple drug use disorders, as well as for people with co-occurring psychiatric disorders. A better understanding of substance use disorders has also led to more success in treating uncomfortable drug withdrawal symptoms that often lead to a relapse.
If you or someone you know needs access to safe drug or alcohol withdrawal programs, call Dallas Drug Treatment Centers now at (214) 935-2287. We’ll help you find treatment facilities that meet all your unique recovery needs.
What is withdrawal?
Withdrawal is the set of symptoms that occur when a person with a substance use disorder stops their drug intake. Also known as the withdrawal syndrome, this process includes both physical-somatic and emotional-motivational withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on the substances involved. In most cases, the only effective treatment for withdrawal symptoms resulting from serious drug use is withdrawal management in a specialized treatment center.
What is withdrawal management?
Withdrawal management, or “medical detox” is the process of controlling withdrawal syndrome under medical supervision. This process usually takes place before drug rehabilitation treatment. This is often the first step in the recovery process, as it helps stabilize individuals so that they are able to join a rehab program for counseling and therapy.
Withdrawal and medication replacement for commonly misused substances
In the North Texas area, opioids, alcohol, and cocaine are among the most commonly-misused substances for which medication exists to facilitate withdrawal management.
Some drugs used for withdrawal management mimic some of the effects of the patient’s drug of choice and help reduce their tolerance. Others may simply help the patient be a little more comfortable during the withdrawal process, which helps reduce the risk of a relapse.
Here are some of the things recovering individuals can expect when recovering from opioids, cocaine, or alcohol use.
Opioid withdrawal and treatment
Opioids are a class of potent opioid analgesic drugs widely misused for their euphoric qualities. Many opioids such as heroin and fentanyl are highly addictive substances that cause uncomfortable or even fatal withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of use.
Typical opioid withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Cramps
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches
- Involuntary body movements
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Irritability
Opioid withdrawal requires careful medication and management through recognized drug treatment clinics, with around-the-clock prescriptions and medical support often required to prevent relapse. Long-term and treatment-resistant opioid users may also require ongoing replacement therapy, with methadone or buprenorphine often prescribed on an indefinite basis to reduce the risks associated with opioid use.
Alcohol withdrawal and treatment
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be dangerous and even fatal if not treated properly. The prolonged and excessive consumption of alcohol leads to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of use, due mostly to the hyper-excitable central nervous system as it responds to lack of alcohol.
Typical withdrawal symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Shaking
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Mental confusion
- Hallucinations
- Tremors
- Agitation
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
A protracted withdrawal phase is also possible in extreme cases, with symptoms lasting for months or even years after alcohol intake is stopped. The alcohol withdrawal syndrome is often treated with benzodiazepine drugs such as Valium and Serax, with anticonvulsants and antipsychotics also used in some situations.
Cocaine withdrawal and treatment
While cocaine is not addictive in the same way as heroin or alcohol, regular use of the drug does cause tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.
Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Paranoia
- Insomnia
- Cravings
- Exhaustion
- Itching
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Some cocaine users also experience symptoms similar to schizophrenia when they stop using the drug, with the feeling of bugs crawling under the skin also noted in a symptom known as formication. The cocaine withdrawal syndrome can last anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks, with the severity of symptoms related to the severity of the substance use disorder.
There is a range of medications available taken to ease cocaine withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Acetylcysteine
- Baclofen
- Bupropion
- Vanoxerine
- Vigabatrin
While medical detox is not always necessary for cocaine use disorders, long-term users and those with a history of substance misuse are advised to enter an intensive residential program. Behavioral therapy and counseling may also be required to treat the precedents of cocaine addiction, with relapse prevention and aftercare programs also recommended to ensure long-term recovery.
Entering a withdrawal management program at a vetted drug treatment facility can dramatically improve the safety of a recovering individual and reduce their chances of a relapse. Doing so will also help stabilize the individuals’ condition and help them be fit to enter a rehab program where they may continue the rest of their treatment.
Find treatment for alcohol and drug withdrawal today
Thankfully, there is a wide selection of specialized withdrawal management programs in the Dallas area. If you or someone you know is suffering from drug or alcohol withdrawal, seek professional help immediately.
Dallas Drug Treatment Centers can assist you in finding alcohol and drug withdrawal treatment centers that will help you get a fresh start. Call (214) 935-2287 today to get started on your recovery.