Many patients who are addicted to drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, as well as others, need inpatient detoxification, although some may be able to detoxify from drugs as outpatients.

Some drugs are used to help patients with detoxification from illegal drugs or from prescription drug abuse, such as buprenorphine or naltrexone. Other drugs may be used to limit the withdrawal symptoms that accompany detoxification, such as benzodiazepines or antidepressants.

Therapies that may help Many patients who were addicted to drugs and who have undergone detoxification usually need psychotherapy to stay off drugs. The therapist can help the patient to learn new coping mechanisms to reduce the risk of a relapse.

Some individuals become addicted to prescription drugs because of the misuse of these drugs, including pain medications that are abused such as oxycodone, OxyContin, or hydrocodone or alprazolam XR (Xanax XR). They may have abused their own medications or may have abused medications that were prescribed to others. Some individuals who are addicted steal prescription pads from doctors and write their own prescriptions. They are usually caught and then charged with this crime.

References:

Collins, Eric D., M.D., et al. "Anesthesia-Assisted vs Buprenorphine- or Clonidine-Assisted Heroin Detoxification and Naltrexone Induction: A Randomized Trial." Journal of the American Medical Association 294, no. 8 (August 24/31, 2005): 903-913.

O'Connor, Patrick G., M.D. "Methods of Detoxification and Their Role in Treating Patients with Opioid Dependence." Journal of the American Medical Association 294, no. 8 (August 24/31, 2005): 961-963.

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