It’s September, which means it’s also National Recovery Month. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sponsors the annual campaign to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and to celebrate those who recover. With the nation currently in the midst of an opioid epidemic, this campaign is more important than ever before.
Enterhealth, a Dallas-based alcohol and drug addiction treatment company, wants to help get the word out and increase the public’s awareness about drug and alcohol addiction treatment – namely, medication management and genetic testing as integral components of a successful treatment program.
Taking a Holistic Approach to Addiction Treatment
When treating an individual for addiction, it is critical to monitor all medications, check how they may interact with one another and safeguard against any adverse reactions at all times. This happens with the understanding that no medication impacts any two people in exactly the same way, and for that reason, each person requires an individual approach.
Whether treating someone for addiction alone or for addiction and a co-occurring psychological condition such as depression, you must ensure that highly trained physicians and clinicians oversee and manage medications for each patient. At times, this even includes the use of cutting-edge genetic testing for addiction treatment. This important tool can help determine ways to adjust personalized treatment plans to achieve better stabilization and long-term outcomes.
Genetic Testing for Addiction Treatment
As treatment continues in the Enterhealth Outpatient Center of Excellence, there are some patients who are not receiving the full benefit of their medications and at that time, genetic testing can be effective. For addiction treatment, doctors are primarily looking at the genetic markers for various liver enzymes. It is not uncommon for a person to produce too much or too little of certain liver enzymes, which can greatly affect the way their bodies process certain medications. With the knowledge gleaned from genetic testing, we can better determine which medications would be more or less effective, and in what amounts. This leads to the ultimate goal of the genetic testing, which is to get the patient taking the proper medication and thereby receive the most benefit while taking the lowest effective dose possible. This reduces the risk of over- and under-medicating patients and increases their chances for a successful recovery.
For example, a person with exceptionally high enzyme levels might burn through medications more quickly than they should, meaning they either have to wait until their next dose while their symptoms persist, or take more of the medication, costing more money and possibly leading to further complications. In a person who produces too little of certain enzymes, medications may not be broken down entirely, which can allow them to build up to toxic levels. For these reasons, genetic testing is a popular choice for those who have been on a medication for a long period of time and report low or no efficacy, or those who have been through treatment and tried medications to manage sobriety and their co-occurring disorders without success.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction
There are many reasons to prescribe medications during treatment, and the amounts and types will change over the course of recovery. Initially, patients at Enterhealth who are undergoing Medical Withdrawal Stabilization, also known as detox, will receive specific medications to help alleviate a number of common issues associated with drug or alcohol withdrawal, including reducing physiological cravings and preventing medical episodes such as seizures, as well as normalizing a patient’s brain and body chemistry without the negative effects of the abused substance.
Once drug and alcohol detox is complete, some patients will be prescribed anti-addiction medications (e.g., Vivitrol, naltrexone, Antabuse, Suboxone) to further alleviate cravings which makes it easier to immerse themselves in their addiction treatment.
Many patients suffering from substance use disorders may have underlying psychological issues which need to be addressed in addition to the patient’s addiction. We call this dual-diagnosis treatment and along with any necessary medications to help control anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or other behavioral illnesses, our group and individual behavioral therapies are targeted to help treat all disorders concurrently.
As everyone has a unique body chemistry and there is no one-size-fits-all solution, management of medication is different for each person going through treatment. Along with the aforementioned anti-addiction and psychiatric medications, patients are often treated with NSAID pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen, as well as non-habit-forming muscle relaxants such as Robaxin (methocarbomal). While in the care of Enterhealth, all medications are carefully administered and logged throughout a patient’s recovery.
Get Treatment With Enterhealth
By taking a holistic approach that combines the latest scientific innovations to treat drug and alcohol addiction and top-quality medical and psychological care, Enterhealth is able to produce outcomes which are more effective than traditional treatment programs.
Learn more about how Enterhealth is using genetic testing, medication-assisted treatment and other evidence-based treatments to achieve the best outcomes for patient recovery. Call 1.800.388.4601 or contact us online day or night to learn more.
By Dr. Elizabeth Weidmer-Mikhail, MD
Sources:
L. (2015, September 28). Medication and Counseling Treatment. Retrieved July 25, 2017, from https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment
Swanson, J. (2015, July 15). Personalized Medicine Is Coming to Addiction Treatment. Retrieved July 25, 2017, from https://psmag.com/social-justice/personalized-medicine-is-coming-to-addiction-treatment
