Detox usually lasts at least a couple of days, but many factors can affect how long detox lasts and your side effects. Getting proper care during this sensitive time is vital. Licensed professionals will help you understand how long the detox process is and safely guide you through it.
These days can provide an opportunity to start a healthier life, and detox can help lay the foundation for success. Residential or outpatient treatment can further equip you with necessary skills to maintain sobriety. To begin your journey towards a healthier life, explore the various detox services available.
Factors Affecting Detox Duration
Here are 4 things to consider when talking with a doctor about what your detox process will look like:
How long you’ve been using the substance
To what extent you’ve been using the substance
If you’ve been using just one substance vs multiple substances
Individual factors, such as overall health, mental health conditions, and metabolism
Caption here.
Detox Timeline for Common Substances
Every substance, and every person, is different, but this is what you can expect to encounter during detox for each substance.
Alcohol
Alcohol detox usually lasts 2 – 10 days1. Symptoms appear within 6 – 24 hours after quitting drinking and are most severe during the 36 – 72 hour period. Symptoms include:
Anxiety
Sweating
Tremors
Dehydration
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Insomnia
Nausea and vomiting
Severe withdrawal may involve complications like:
Seizures
Hallucinations
Delirium tremens
Extreme agitation
Alcohol detox can be life threatening, so doing this with medical care is vital.
Opioids/Heroin
Opioids are drugs such as heroin, opium, morphine, codeine, and methadone. Detox can last 4 – 20 days, depending on the opioid used1. Quick-acting opioids like heroin typically have a shorter duration than long-acting opioids like fentanyl. Withdrawal symptoms usually appear in 8 – 12 hours after quitting. Symptoms include:
Nausea and vomiting
Anxiety
Insomnia
Hot and cold flashes
Sweating
Muscle cramps
Diarrhea
Opioid withdrawal can be safely worked through as long as you are detoxing with medical supervision.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are psychoactive drugs that act as central nervous system depressants. Doctors prescribe them to treat anxiety and sleeping disorders. This drug is relatively easy to become addicted to, so if you are prescribed benzodiazepines, you should use them with caution.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal could be fatal, so it’s important to taper off these with guidance from medical professionals.
Meth/Stimulants
Stimulants are drugs such as methamphetamine, amphetamine, and cocaine. Detox usually lasts 3 – 5 days1, and symptoms begin within 24 hours of quitting. Symptoms include:
Agitation and irritability
Depression
Increased sleeping and appetite
Muscle aches
Particularly those who use methamphetamine can develop hallucinations, paranoia, or depressed thoughts during detox.
Meth and stimulant withdrawal can be safely worked through as long as you detox with medical support.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates are depressant drugs prescribed for sleep aid, muscle spasms, anxiety relief, and seizure prevention. Detox usually lasts around 2 weeks, and symptoms appear 2 – 4 days after stopping the medication2. Symptoms include:
Barbiturate detox can be life-threatening, so it’s vital to do so under medical supervision.
Marijuana
Marijuana detox typically lasts 1 – 2 weeks1, and the symptoms are relatively mild compared to other detoxification processes. However, this can still be an uncomfortable experience. Symptoms include:
Anxiety
Feelings of fear or dissociation
Restlessness
Irritability
Poor appetite
Disturbed sleep
Gastrointestinal upsets
Night sweats
Tremors
Marijuana withdrawal can be safely worked through as long as you detox with medical supervision.
Your Unique Experience Detoxing
Taking all of this into account, detox duration and experience can vary from person to person.
The detox process can negatively affect your co-occurring disorder(s)4 or vice versa. This could apply to medical disorders or mental disorders. Agitation, depression, or hallucinations can appear during detox, so if your mental health issues include these, they may be heightened during this process.
Be sure to tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have. It’s very important that they take these into account when deciding what medication to give you, your tapering timeline, etc.
Medical Detox vs. Other Forms of Detox
Detox is a broad term, and the general definition is to rid the body of toxic things. When we hear “detox,” we may first think of using dandelion tea to cleanse our bodies, or holistically-based cellular detox.
Medical detox, what we’ve been covering in this article, involves ridding the body of drugs or alcohol under the supervision of licensed medical professionals. Often, this involves using medication to assist the detoxification, like methadone and diazepam.
Coming off of any substance could have negative or life threatening effects, so this process shouldn’t be taken lightly. Your detox beyond dandelion tea needs to be medically monitored for your own safety and well being.
Detoxing Safely With Professional Guidance
Substance detox is a complicated process that requires professional guidance 24/71. Doctors can help you safely rid yourself of the substance. You could risk harming yourself if you detox without proper care. You might also relapse without the guidance of a doctor. Having professionals there helps make this uncomfortable experience as comfortable as possible.
Evaluation: testing how substance use has affected your body and creating a plan
Stabilization: medically assisted detox to get you to a stable, substance-free state
Fostering the patient’s entry into treatment: emphasizing the importance that you follow through with a substance abuse program to maintain your sobriety
During detox, you usually won’t participate in talk therapy because you’re in a susceptible, healing state. The real work and self growth comes after detox. During residential or outpatient care, you’ll work in individual and group therapy sessions using a variety of methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a highly effective treatment for addiction6. This is because it targets the thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns that are common in substance use disorder.
You can build a support network with your therapists, peers, and family. You’ll learn to identify the early warning signs of relapse. You can even participate in relapse prevention groups. And in treatment, you’ll have more time to solidify your new coping skills.
Addiction is more than just using substances, and recovery is more than just detoxing from those substances. It’s impacted your perspective and how you think. Treatment can guide you back to a better place by shifting how you view yourself, your surroundings, and your future.
A Step Forward You can try your best to plan for what your detox may look like, but the bottom line is that there are a lot of variables. Detoxing safely with medical professionals ensures that the bumps along the road during this process can be molehills instead of mountains. Explore where your new journey will take you by starting with detox.
Healing your mental health is a lot like adding tools to a toolbox, especially when you attend residential rehab where you can try different kinds of therapy. As you experience different treatment options, you’re able to keep what works best for you. A common and effective tool in many people’s toolbox is biomedical therapy, which includes medications and some medical procedures.
At rehabs that offer biomedical therapy, you can see these options for yourself while under the supervision of a medical professional for your safety.
Biomedical therapy is very similar to how doctors treat physical diseases, using medicine to both reduce your symptoms and correct the cause of the disease. Biomedical therapy differs from psychotherapy because it focuses on the biological causes of conditions. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, weighs how your environment, relationships, childhood, and more have influenced your mental health.
The use of medications, or pharmacotherapy, treats the symptoms of mental health conditions.4 Some conditions like bipolar disorder may require continuous medication to control your symptoms long-term. But it’s also common for your doctor to prescribe them for a short period to ease your symptoms so you can focus on the rest of your therapies while in treatment.
“Medications can work with psychotherapy. In fact, patients whose depression has lifted or have their severe anxiety under control can do better in psychotherapy. They’re able to focus, concentrate and delve into their psyche much better when they’re stable.”
Antidepressants, including serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can treat depression, anxiety, chronic pain, or insomnia.
Anti-anxiety medications, like SSRIs or benzodiazepines, can help people with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety disorder.
Stimulants are common in treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy.
Antipsychotics can help people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, or other conditions that cause delusions or hallucinations, including some addictions.
Mood stabilizers, like lithium, reduce the symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder, usually in addition to antidepressants.
It’s common for people to try a few different medications before finding one that works7 best for them. But it’s important to do these trials with a medical professional. They’ll be able to give guidance and address any concerns about side effects.
Medical Procedures for Mental Health Conditions
While pharmacotherapy is the most popular form of biomedical therapy, doctors also use certain medical procedures to address mental health conditions like depression.
In the past, invasive and life-altering surgeries like lobotomies were more common. Now, the practice of psychosurgery is much safer8 thanks to improvements in technique. Still, these surgeries are not very common. Doctors will typically only consider them an option after exhausting all other treatment options.
Beyond surgery, treatment centers use other types of medical procedures to treat mental health conditions. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)9 is one example. In ECT, a doctor passes electric currents through your brain, causing a small seizure while you’re under general anesthesia. This stimulates your brain and can quickly change chemical imbalances that may be causing your mental health issues. It’s one of the most effective treatment options for people with treatment-resistant depression, but people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may also benefit.
Like pharmacotherapy treatment options, your treatment team, therapist, or primary care physician can help you determine if any of these medical procedures are right for you.
How Does Biomedical Therapy Work?
Some biomedical therapies require a medical doctor to supervise. For example, in some states like California, only a psychiatrist or physician can prescribe mental health medications,10 not therapists. In others, a technician or nurse practitioner can perform the therapy. However, they all require a trained medical professional to ensure your safety. And in rehab, your entire treatment team will be involved in deciding which therapies make the most sense for you and evaluating if they’re effective.
In most cases, biomedical therapies are available in both inpatient and outpatient settings. A psychiatrist can prescribe you antidepressants to take both during residential treatment and for afterwards if necessary. ECT and TMS are also both available as outpatient procedures, but you can also receive them in rehabs that have the necessary staff and equipment. The only type of biomedical therapy that typically requires hospitalization is psychosurgery.
In the last 30 years in the U.S., the biomedical treatment model has been the dominant approach13 to mental health. This means a large body of research has been focused on biomedical therapy options for some of the most prevalent mental health conditions.
ECT and TMS are also effective in treating depression.16 Most of the benefits of ECT and TMS occur in the short term with an almost immediate improvement in symptoms. However, there’s not enough research to establish that they can prevent relapses in the long term.
Anxiety
For people with a range of anxiety disorders, medication can be an effective tool in treatment.17 SSRIs and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are usually the first options for anxiety treatment. You may take them for as little as 3 months or as long as multiple years, depending on how your anxiety reacts. There are also a few new pharmacological options for anxiety, including ketamine and psychedelics, that some studies have proven effective. However, these are less common and research is still quite new.
Schizophrenia
Antipsychotic medications are a pillar in most treatment plans for schizophrenia. After a psychotic episode, your doctor will most likely prescribe an antipsychotic medication immediately to prevent major changes in your brain18 and help you return to your regular functioning. But it’s also common for mental health providers to continue to prescribe medications even months after an episode. This type of maintenance therapy can help prevent relapse and allow you to experience more stability in your mood and relationships.
Initial research also shows that TMS may be effective in reducing OCD symptoms.20 TMS requires a psychiatrist’s referral and with such new research, it may not be widely available to people with OCD just yet.
From the biomedical psychiatry perspective, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is caused by a biological change in how you perceive fear. And studies show that people with PTSD have a few key imbalances in the brain22 related to the “fight or flight” response. PTSD may also have physical symptoms like high blood pressure, which hints at the biological link.
With these imbalances in mind, pharmacotherapy is an effective treatment method for PTSD.23 And psychiatrists will consider your symptoms when prescribing your specific medications. For example, you may take an SSRI to reduce symptoms like re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal, while other medications can help prevent PTSD-related nightmares. Your treatment team will be able to map out the most effective medications for your symptoms and lifestyle.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is another mental health condition where biomedical psychiatry can be beneficial. Doctors commonly prescribe medications like lithium or antidepressants like Prozac. These types of medications help stabilize your symptoms24 and mindset, which makes it easier to both attend and make the most of talk therapy. Researchers have also found TMS to be effective for reducing depressive symptoms25 in people with bipolar disorder.
However, treating bipolar disorder can be a tricky balance because sometimes medications or TMS can trigger depressive or manic episodes, so it’s crucial to have open lines of communication with your mental health provider to prevent those swings. And because people with bipolar disorder are at higher risk for developing addiction,26 open communication with your psychiatrist is important to prevent becoming dependent on your prescription medications.
Biomedical Therapy for Addiction
Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, explains that much like mental health issues, addiction is also “a brain disease27 because drugs change the brain — they change its structure and how it works.” And because of those brain changes, biomedical psychiatry can be beneficial for treating addiction.
Medications for Addiction Recovery
Medications are a widely used treatment option for many different aspects of addiction recovery. During detox, many providers use medications to reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent serious complications. For example, if you’re detoxing from alcohol, your doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine to manage withdrawal symptoms.
Once you’ve detoxed and you’re in rehab, your treatment team may also suggest taking medications to ease both withdrawal and mental health symptoms28 to allow you to focus on other forms of therapy. They can also prevent cravings and help you relax more in treatment.
Plus, for people with co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety in addition to addiction, medications can play an important role in treatment.31 Your doctor may prescribe medications that alleviate your mental health symptoms to make other forms of therapy easier. You might take antidepressants to reduce depressive fatigue, for example, so you have more energy for your group therapy sessions.
However, it’s very important that a medical professional supervises the use of all medications, especially in the case of co-occurring disorders. Some medications commonly used for treating addiction can have dangerous interactions32 with anxiety medications. A rehab that specializes in treating co-occurring disorders will understand those risks and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.
Biomedical Treatment Can Be an Effective Tool for Recovery
For most people seeking treatment for mental health issues or addiction, recovery doesn’t come from just one type of therapy. There’s no magic cure for these conditions. But research and years of practice have shown that there are effective and safe ways to approach recovery, including biomedical therapy. Taking medications or undergoing certain medical procedures can be an important aspect of your healing, especially when combined with other therapies like behavioral or holistic treatments. To learn more about the role that biomedical treatment can play in your recovery journey, see our list of rehabs that offer biomedical therapy.
Bipolar disorder is a serious diagnosis. Without proper treatment, it can be extremely destabilizing—both for the person who has the condition, and for those around them. If you have this diagnosis, it’s vital to get the care you need. For some clients, inpatient rehab is a helpful place to start.
About 2.8% of the population has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder1 (once called manic-depressive disorder). And 83% of those cases are classified as severe. However, these numbers do not account for cases that go undiagnosed. It’s also frequently misdiagnosed as schizophrenia or borderline personality disorder (BPD). Without a proper understanding of your condition, it’s unlikely for clients to get appropriate treatment for their mental health.
If you think this diagnosis may fit your experience, it’s important to learn more about it. Make sure you talk to a mental health professional before you pursue a particular plan of care.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
This condition is characterized by “intense emotional states that typically occur during distinct periods of days to weeks, called mood episodes,”2 according to the American Psychiatric Association. “These mood episodes are categorized as manic/hypomanic (abnormally happy or irritable mood) or depressive (sad mood). People with bipolar disorder generally have periods of neutral mood as well.”
While its exact etiology is unknown, experts believe this condition can be caused by a combination of factors. You may have a genetic predisposition to bipolar disorder,3 even if previous generations of your family were never diagnosed. It may also be related to a neurochemical imbalance. Some experts believe it can be caused or exacerbated by adverse life experiences.
The term “bipolar” may lead casual observers to believe that the associated mood swings are simple. That’s far from the truth. Mania4 isn’t just happiness; it can include sleeplessness, anxiety, irritability, and disproportionate anger. It can also cause impulsivity, which may lead to excessive spending, promiscuity, or substance misuse. Similarly, depressive episodes aren’t simply bouts of sadness. Symptoms mimic those of major depression, and may include fatigue, oversleeping, trouble concentrating, over- or undereating, and suicidal ideation, in addition to sadness.
Clients with bipolar disorder are also prone to a third emotional state, called hypomania. Hypomania is often characterized as a less severe version of classic mania. Clients still present with energy, impulsivity, and other signs of mania; however, their symptoms are less overwhelming. And unlike mania, “hypomania5 does not cause a major deficit in social or occupational functioning.” By definition, it lasts for at least four days, whereas mania lasts for at least a week.
Based on the frequency and severity of the client’s mania, hypomania, and depression, bipolar disorder may be classified in one of three ways.
Bipolar Disorder I
According to experts at Creative Care Calabasas, “bipolar I is the most severe form of the mental health condition.” To qualify for this diagnosis, clients must experience mania for at least one week. Their behavior “must represent a change from the person’s usual behavior and be clear to friends and family. Symptoms must be severe enough to cause dysfunction in work, family, or social activities and responsibilities.” Clients with this type of bipolar disorder also experience depressive episodes that may last for weeks at a time. In severe cases, hospitalization can be necessary.
Bipolar Disorder II
Bipolar II is more often associated with depressive episodes. Clients with this condition experience similar swings, but their mania is both less severe and less frequent. Some experience depressive episodes interspersed with hypomanic episodes, without ever showing symptoms of mania.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Clients with cyclothymic disorder also cycle between depression and hypomania. This condition includes less severe symptoms than other forms of bipolar. It can also take much longer to get an accurate diagnosis. Clients must experience mood swings for at least two years, without ever meeting the exact criteria for bipolar I or bipolar II.
Living With Bipolar Disorder
It’s important to remember that bipolar disorder is a medical diagnosis, and not a reflection of a person’s character. Like any other diagnosis—from diabetes to depression—it can have a huge impact on the rest of your life. Conversely, the events of your life may make your symptoms more or less severe. Clients may have difficulty navigating regular activities as a result of this condition.
Important Life Events
Trauma is linked to the development of many psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, and a number of mood disorders. Bipolar is no exception. Experts agree that “childhood trauma6 in all its subcomponents appears to be highly associated” with this condition.
And after developing bipolar disorder, various life events may bring on severe mood swings. Both traumatic events and extremely positive experiences may be risk factors.7 Research has found that “bipolar patients are highly sensitive to reward, and excessive goal pursuit after goal-attainment events may be one pathway to mania. Negative life events predict depressive symptoms, as do levels of familial expressed emotion.”
Career
When even positive events can trigger your symptoms, it may be difficult to maintain an upward trajectory. For that reason, bipolar disorder interferes with some clients’ ability to work.
One study found that “Occupational disability is one of the most problematic impairments for individuals with bipolar disorder due to high rates of unemployment and work impairments. Current evidence indicates that social stressors at work8—such as social isolation, conflict with others, and stigmas—are common experiences for employed individuals with bipolar disorder.”
These social stressors can make or break a clients’ success in the workplace. And for people with bipolar, even more than for other clients, social support is hugely impactful throughout the healing process.
Community Building
Strong relationships are uniquely important for people with this condition. Data suggests that social support9 may be directly linked to the severity and frequency of clients’ symptoms.
Some rehab programs have a unique focus on the social aspect of healing. Gould Farm, for instance, is a therapeutic community that treats clients with bipolar disorder. Residents receive clinical care from a team of healthcare providers, and also participate in community efforts. This treatment model is designed to help clients “learn new skills, and others re-discover their strengths, building confidence and self-esteem.”
When your diagnosis has such a great impact on so many aspects of life, it can be hard to disentangle your symptoms from your healthy emotional reactions. And remember, not all healthy reactions are positive. For example, it’s perfectly healthy to experience anxiety if you have to switch jobs. Clients with bipolar disorder may struggle to stay present with that anxiety, instead of tipping into a manic episode. This difficulty can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance misuse.
Also, experts believe there may be “a shared neurobiology between bipolar disorder and addictions.”13 If this is true, it would mean that people with a diagnosis of bipolar are neurologically predisposed to substance use disorders. Much more research is needed on this subject, however.
Because bipolar disorder may be related to neurochemical imbalances,14 substance use of any kind may have a direct impact on your symptoms. That’s true of both substance misuse and appropriate use of prescription medications. For this reason, it’s absolutely vital for clients to receive care from clinicians who have experience with this diagnosis.
If you have both bipolar disorder and a substance use disorder, you may benefit from rehab for co-occurring disorders. These programs address each client as a whole person, rather than treating each symptom individually. And, they may have a higher success rate. According to the experts at Skyland Trail, “research indicates that people who address multiple psychiatric diagnoses simultaneously experience better long-term outcomes than those who try to address each diagnosis separately.”
Healing From Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition. Once you receive this diagnosis, it will probably continue to apply for the rest of your life. That being said, bipolar can absolutely go into remission, and some clients go for long periods of time between manic, hypomanic, or depressive episodes. With appropriate care and management, you can significantly improve your quality of life.
While there are a number of ways to treat bipolar disorder, most clients benefit from a combination of therapy and medication.15 During treatment, you’ll work closely with your providers to decide which options are best for you. Certain modalities have been found to be extremely effective.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy is a powerful way to begin healing from almost any mental health diagnosis. With this approach, you’ll develop a one-on-one relationship with a provider. Therapy sessions will take place more often during inpatient treatment—sometimes even daily. Outside of rehab, it’s quite common for clients to meet with their therapists once a week. However, your specific clinician may suggest you see each other either more or less often.
This modality allows clients to work through difficult feelings in a safe context. Therapy can work as a release valve, in which you can express extreme feelings without jeopardizing other relationships. It’s your therapist’s job to hold space for you, no matter what you think or how you feel. You can safely and ethically set aside any concern that they’ll judge you negatively for having mood swings.
Research has demonstrated that therapy is extremely important for people with this condition. Experts write that “psychotherapy, when added to medication for the treatment of bipolar disorder, consistently shows advantages over medication alone as a treatment for bipolar disorder.16 There are many different types of psychotherapy. If you attend an inpatient program, the team at your facility will help you choose which modality best suits your needs.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches clients how to change their own thought patterns using practical, repeatable strategies. For example, you might learn to recognize when your own thoughts are distorted or divorced from reality. In those moments, CBT skills can help you ground yourself in the present moment, and respond from a calmer place.
Data suggests that this type of therapy is especially helpful for clients with certain conditions. Specifically, it “has a positive impact on patients with bipolar disorder17 in terms of reducing depression levels, improving mania severity, decreasing relapse rates and increasing psychosocial functioning.”
Psychiatry and Medication
Medication can be hugely beneficial for people with this diagnosis. Specifically, psychiatrists often prescribe lithium, lamotrigine, or antidepressants such as Prozac. Because bipolar disorder is thought to be a neurochemical imbalance, these treatments may be necessary even if talk therapy proves helpful.
However, it’s also important to consider the relationship between bipolar and substance use disorders. Even with a prescription in hand, some clients may be tempted to fall back into unhealthy patterns. In order to avoid this, it’s absolutely vital that you stay in close communication with your mental health team about your medication use. For some clients, having access to a prescription of any kind may be a trigger. If that’s the case for you, be sure to ask your therapist about substance-free alternatives.
Finding Balance With Bipolar Disorder
With extreme emotions, introspection can be difficult. Some clients with bipolar disorder struggle to find clarity, or even to ask for help. If these symptoms resonate with your experience, know that you have the right to reach out. It’s important to get the care you need.
Because bipolar disorder touches on so many aspects of life, it can be difficult to imagine what healing would look like. Remember that, no matter how severe your symptoms may be, no emotion lasts forever. You can and will feel differently. And, with the right support, you can even feel consistently better. It is absolutely possible for clients with bipolar to live rich and meaningful lives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rehab for Bipolar Disorder
What are the common treatment options for bipolar disorder?
Treatment for bipolar disorder often includes a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle adjustments. Medications like mood stabilizers are commonly prescribed, and therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and family therapy help with managing symptoms and improving overall well-being. Some people start treatment at an inpatient rehab.
How long does rehab for bipolar disorder typically last?
The duration of treatment for bipolar disorder varies depending on individual needs and response to interventions. It typically involves long-term management to stabilize mood and prevent relapse. Treatment may span several months to years, with regular follow-up appointments and adjustments to the treatment plan as necessary.
Can therapy alone be effective in treating bipolar disorder?
While therapy alone may not be sufficient for managing bipolar disorder, it plays a crucial role in the overall treatment plan. Therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, helps individuals develop coping skills, improve self-awareness, and enhance relationships. Combined with medication and other interventions, therapy contributes to a comprehensive approach for bipolar disorder treatment.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an addiction treatment method that uses pharmaceuticals to address substance dependency. Because it entails medications that can themselves be addictive, this approach is controversial among those seeking treatment, the medical community, and addiction treatment professionals. And while this evidence-based treatment helps many people overcome their addictions, it also carries a significant amount of documented risks.
If this is a treatment option you’re considering for yourself or for your loved one, it may be helpful to think of MAT as just one available tool that some find beneficial on their path to recovery. According to Douglass Weiss, President and Chief Customer Officer of Gallus Detox Centers,
“Substance use disorders occur within a much greater percentage of the population than you would ordinarily think. About 20 million people in the United States have a substance use disorder. However, only 11% of those people seek treatment.”
Considering how pervasive this problem is, any tool that can help someone sustainably recover is one worth (carefully) considering.
If you’re trying to decide if MAT is an appropriate option for you, learning more about what it is, what specific medicines are used, and what addictions it can treat will empower you with the knowledge you need to move forward in the direction that feels best for you.
What Is MAT?
In short, medication-assisted treatment1 is exactly what its name implies: “the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a ‘whole-patient’ approach to the treatment of substance use disorders,” as defined by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
SAMHSA further explains how the prescribed medicines used in MAT help “normalize brain chemistry,2 block the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids, relieve physiological cravings, and normalize body functions without the negative and euphoric effects of the substance used.”
Addictions That Can Be Treated With MAT
MAT is primarily used to treat three substance use disorder or conditions:
1. Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
2. Opioid use disorder (OUD)
3. Opioid overdose
Medication-assisted treatment is used to treat a range of opioid addictions including heroin and prescription painkillers. According to SAMHSA, “research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat these disorders, and for some people struggling with addiction, MAT can help sustain recovery.”3
On the other hand, some rehab professionals, like Weiss, believe that “the best way to start the recovery journey is to be completely clear of substances so that when you enter psychotherapy, you’re doing so on the right foot. It also helps people succeed in talk therapy.”
It’s important to know that MAT is not a one-size-fits all addiction solution. Today, several medications are approved and used for MAT. Effective MAT programs should be “clinically driven and tailored to meet each patient’s needs,” as SAMHSA explains.
Medications Used in MAT
Specific medications used for MAT vary depending on a) what kind of SUD is being treated, and b) your personal medical and substance use history. In the U.S., the medications used in MAT4 must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In Europe, these medicines are regulated and approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Note: The following information has been compiled from the following guides, all from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
Disclaimer:The information below has been professionally reviewed but does not represent, nor should be mistaken for, medical advice. Please seek medical advice from your doctor or qualified addiction treatment professional to fully review and understand the benefits, risks and side effects of the medications discussed.
Willow Springs Recovery in Bastrop, Texas uses tapered detox to remove drugs from the system slowly and minimize withdrawals.
Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder
Acamprosate
Acamprosate is a delayed-release synthetic compound used to help maintain abstinence from alcohol.
What it does: This drug helps modulate and normalize alcohol-related changes in brain activity. This may help reduce common withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness which may help people remain abstinent.
Pros and cons: In many European trials, acamprosate is much more effective than placebo in reducing drinking days and increasing complete abstinence, both in the short and long term. Acamprosate appears to have no potential for abuse, and carries virtually no overdose risk. Its side effects, which are mild and usually disappear after a few weeks, may include diarrhea, upset stomach, loss of appetite, anxiety, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping. Acamprosate’s rare but serious side effects include suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.
Where it’s administered: This medicine is only available at pharmacies with a doctor’s prescription.
Disulfiram
The first medication approved by the FDA to treat alcohol dependence, disulfiram is an alcohol-aversive or alcohol-sensitizing agent.
What it does: Disulfiram disrupts the metabolism of alcohol, which creates an acutely toxic physical reaction if a person taking disulfiram consumes alcohol. These reactions range from moderate to severe, depending on the individual, and can include sweating, hyperventilation, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, chest pain, tachycardia, vertigo, confusion, and weakness.
Pros and cons: The time between alcohol ingestion and the reaction can be as long as 30 minutes and the intensity of the reaction is unpredictable. The disulfiram-alcohol reaction can be life-threatening if taken in wrong dosages. Studies on the effectiveness of disulfiram have mixed findings, and this drug isn’t appropriate for people with severely impaired judgment or high impulsivity from a severe mental illness or cognitive impairment.
Where it’s administered: Disulfiram is a prescription medication, and, according to SAMHSA, is highly recommended when “supervised administration by a pharmacist, healthcare provider, or family member.”
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is used to decrease opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
What it does: When taken in low to moderate doses, buprenorphine produces partial opioid effects like euphoria and respiratory depression. These effects are considered “partial” because they’re weaker than the effects of “full” opioids like heroin.
Pros and cons: Buprenorphine causes limited respiratory depression and has a therapeutic limit, which means it’s less likely to produce an overdose5 even if doses are increased. But because buprenorphine does have opioid effects, it can be misused. Additionally, some of buprenorphine’s serious side effects include respiratory distress, dependence, withdrawal, and neonatal abstinence syndrome in newborns.
Where it’s administered: Buprenorphine is the first OUD treatment medication that can be prescribed or dispensed in doctor’s offices with dosing done at home, rather than strictly from opioid treatment programs.
What it does: When taken as prescribed, methadone can help reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms by blunting or blocking the effects of opioids.
Pros and cons: Methadone has been used to treat OUD for more than 50 years. Because it interacts with other medications, has drastically different effects on different people, and has long-lasting active ingredients, methadone doses must be individually tailored and often adjusted and readjusted. Methadone does not have a ceiling effect, or a point at which the drug’s potency and benefits plateau. So, unmonitored dosing can lead to intentional or unintentional intoxication and overdose death, which is why methadone isn’t available as a take-home prescription.
Where it’s administered: In the U.S., by law, only practitioners at a federally accredited opioid treatment program7 (OTP) or specially licensed clinic can offer and administer methadone treatment.
Medications for Both Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorders
Naltrexone
Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, can be used to treat both alcohol use disorders and opioid dependence.
What it does: Naltrexone blocks the rewarding effects and feelings of intoxication from alcohol and opioids, helping reduce cravings.
Pros and cons: Naltrexone is a potentially effective treatment option for people with a history of both opioid and alcohol use disorders. This medicine has been shown to lower alcohol consumption and improve relapse rates, has little abuse potential, and most don’t develop a tolerance to its effects. But before using naltrexone for treatment, patients should be fully withdrawn from all opioids, or the drug could cause severe opioid withdrawal symptoms. Treatment outcomes in studies have been mixed and high doses of naltrexone can cause liver damage. There is also poor compliance and retention with its use and people with chronic pain should not use it.
Where it’s administered: Naltrexone can be prescribed by any licensed health care provider.
Medication for Opioid Overdose Prevention
Naloxone
Naloxone is essentially an antidote to opioids.
What it does: If administered in time, naloxone rapidly reverses the toxic effects, or respiratory depression, of an opioid overdose. It does this by temporarily blocking and reversing the effects of other opioids, like heroin or morphine. It has no effect on non-opioid drug overdoses.
Where it’s available: In the U.S. you can get naloxone from a pharmacy, and many states do not require a patient-specific prescription. As of 2019, 11 EU member states and Norway run take-home naloxone programs,9 which “combine training on overdose risk and management with the distribution of naloxone to potential bystanders,” making the life-saving drug more available “in places where overdoses might occur.”
Villa Paradiso in Tunisia offers medically controlled detox in a beachfront residential home.
Risks of MAT
Many rehab and medical professionals have reservations about using potentially addictive or harmful medicines to treat addictions. Below we’ll address some of the most common concerns and risks associated with MAT.
Prescribed Opioid Medications Can Potentially Be Abused
Most of the medications used in MAT are themselves addictive. Inadequate medical supervision, mismanagement of doses, or self-medicating can all lead to an increased risk of abuse and cross-addiction of the medications meant to help people overcome their addictions. For example, one study found that “young adults are much more likely to start abusing prescription opioids10 than they are to start abusing illegal opioids such as heroin.”
“We are also very conscientious about not cross-addicting patients, which is, in a way, what medication-assisted therapy does,” says Weiss. “It puts you on another medication, but it is nevertheless an addictive medication. Suboxone, for example, has a 7- to 8-day detox period to get the person off of that medication.”
*Similarly to MAT, opioid substitution treatment (OST) is what harm-reduction programs that prescribe medications are called in the EU.
Some Recipients of MAT Need to Stay on Medications to Stay Abstinent
A 3-year trial called the Prescription Opioid Addiction Treatment Study (POATS) concluded that “prescription opioid-dependent patients are most likely to reduce opioid use during buprenorphine-naloxone treatment,” supporting the argument in favor of MAT which claims that opioid medications help people maintain abstinence from full opioids. It’s important to note that the opposite—in order to stay abstinent you have to take prescription opioids—has also proven true. The same study also found that more than 90% of adults relapse after tapering off of prescription opioids,12 even when the length of tapering was increased from 8 to 12 weeks. A different 2008 study found that the duration of prescription opioid therapy “exceeded the time spent abusing”13 and concluded that “there is no evidence-based data to suggest when or if substitution therapy can be discontinued.”
Counseling Doesn’t Necessarily Improve the Results of MAT
To be most effective, MAT is typically recommended alongside conventional talk therapy. Results from the POATS show, though, that “the addition of individual opioid dependence counseling to buprenorphine-naloxone plus medical management did not improve opioid use outcomes.” Counseling may help some have successful outcomes with MAT, but its effectiveness in combination with this treatment hasn’t been consistently proven.
Study Results Are Mixed and Inconsistent
Some studies on the benefits and effectiveness of MAT don’t include a control group of people who aren’t receiving MAT. For example, one study evaluatingthe effects of counseling on MAT outcomes14 acknowledged that it didn’t examine the effects of counseling alone or with less intensive medical treatments. And, even for those receiving MAT and counseling, about only half of the patients had successful outcomes.
Potential Benefits of MAT
Despite the documented risks of MAT, there are still many organizations, medical professionals, and MAT patients who support its use. Just as there are many studies showing the risks, scientific research also shows the benefits of MAT, including its medical effectiveness at helping people achieve abstinence, as well as behavioral benefits.
It Reduces Substance-Related Deaths
In general, overdose survivors have an increased risk for drug-related death. One 2018 study by the American College of Physicians found that methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and buprenorphine “were associated with reduced all-cause and opioid-related mortality.”15 The results from a different 2021 study by the U.K.’s Harm Reduction Journal similarly found that the longer duration and better retention in MAT is associated with a decreased risk of overdose.16
It Helps Some People Stay in Treatment Longer
The 2009 methadone treatment for opioid dependence study from the Cochrane Library determined that methadone is an effective treatment for heroin dependence17 because it “retains patients in treatment and decreases heroin use better than treatments that do not utilize opioid replacement therapy.” Another trial funded by NIDA in 2005 reported that “retention in treatment was dose related,18 with 39%, 60%, and 68% of patients in the placebo, 192 mg of naltrexone, and 384 mg of naltrexone groups, respectively, remaining in treatment at the end of 2 months.” And lastly, a 2003 article published by The New England Journal of Medicine concluded that clinically administered medical treatments for opioid addiction had greater efficacy than placebo19 and reduced the use of and craving for opiates.
ATHENA Passages in Athens, Greece uses the latest advancements in addiction medicine to reduce the pain and discomfort of detox.
MAT Provides a Tool to Address the Growing Opioid Crisis
Experts in the U.S. are calling for greater use of MAT to reduce the risk of death after opioid overdose.20 “A great part of the tragedy of this opioid crisis is that, unlike in previous such crises America has seen, we now possess effective treatment strategies that could address it and save many lives,” says Dr. Nora. “Yet tens of thousands of people die each year because they have not received these treatments.” To illustrate this point, a 2020 investigation published by the American Medical Association found that of about 3,800 teens and young adults from 13 to 22 years old who experienced nonfatal opioid overdoses, only one-third received “any timely addiction treatment after overdose.”21
MAT is Supported by Medical, Mental Health, and Government Organizations
In the U.S., the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians jointly published a document urging policymakers to remove all barriers to MAT22 for people with substance use disorders. In 2020, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy published the U.S. federal government’s first ever National Treatment Plan for Substance Use Disorders,23 which prioritized increasing access to “evidence-based addiction treatment, including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).” And in June 2021, the Council of the E.U. approved the 2021-2025 EU Drugs Action Plan24 which details several measures to increase access to prescription opioid treatments.
Questions and Concerns About MAT
Disclaimer: The answers below have been professionally reviewed but do not represent, nor should be mistaken for, medical advice. Please consult with your doctor to learn more about any potential side effects or concerns about MAT that you should take into consideration.
Is MAT effective at helping people recover from addictions?
The effectiveness of MAT differs from person to person and can be affected by any number of factors. While the effectiveness of MAT varies and is not guaranteed, MAT has been shown to have positive outcomes on:
improved patient survival
increased retention in treatment
decreased illicit opiate use and other criminal activity
increased ability to gain and maintain employment
improved birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders while pregnant
What risks are associated with taking medications to overcome SUD?
As with any therapies that require medication, MAT does entail risks and side effects. Documented risks of MAT include:
MAT requires close medical supervision—Some people aren’t in a position to regularly receive treatments, or have difficulty finding or going to a treatment center.
Potentially becoming “cross-addicted”—In other words, there’s a risk of simply trading one addiction for another.
Over-reliance on medications—Whether intentionally or not, MAT may become a crutch people use to avoid addressing their deeper traumas that are the core cause of their addictions.
Overdose—The main risk of overdose comes from methadone. There’s also a slight risk of overdose with buprenorphine if it’s taken while drinking alcohol.
What are the side effects of MAT?
The side effects of MAT vary depending on which specific medication(s) you’re given. Even then, similar to taking different medications for different mental or physical health conditions, not everyone reacts the same or experiences the same side effects from MAT. Common side effects to MAT range from nausea and vomiting, to constipation and frequent urination, to sexual dysfunction and addiction. More serious side effects can include suicide ideation and death by overdose.
Does MAT just substitute one addiction for another?
The answer to this question is complicated and really depends on what you believe, your personal substance use and treatment experiences, and what research resonates more with you. Some addiction treatment professionals do believe MAT replaces one addictive substance for another, while others recognize MAT’s potential to reduce drug-related deaths.
Luxury Rehab Centers That Offer Medication-Assisted Treatment
Ultimately, the decision to pursue medication-assisted treatment is a personal one. Your primary care physician, psychiatrist, and/or treatment center admissions staff can provide more information on what to expect from this process and help you determine what course of action is best for you.
Search our list of medical rehabs to learn more about available programs.
Gambling addiction is more common than most people realize—it’s a global problem that’s only getting worse. Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report on gambling addiction due to its “unprecedented growth.”1 The WHO stressed the need to extend and enhance treatment for problem gambling. The good news is, while it’s undoubtedly a serious concern, this addiction is proven to be treatable. Here, we’ll outline available treatment options and what to look for in a gambling addiction treatment center if you or someone you love needs help.
When Is Gambling an Addiction?
Gambling addiction is markedly different from taking an occasional trip to the casino—the impulse to bet, play and win is too strong to control. Those suffering from gambling addiction experience a compulsive urge to bet despite the increasingly negative consequences it carries. With problem gambling, winning provides a sense of euphoria and pleasure that serves as a short-term high. When a gambling addict loses, they begin to chase their losses, trying to win back the money (and pleasure) they lost—resulting in a cycle that’s very difficult to escape.
Sign and Symptoms of Gambling Impulse-Control Disorder
If you’re addicted to gambling, you’ve likely experienced some of these symptoms:
Gambling to counteract negative emotions
Irritability or restlessness when not gambling
Efforts to be secretive about gambling
Not being able to stop, chasing losses
Obsessing about the next big win
Betting more than you can afford
If gambling causes you to lose significant time, money or relationships, this is indicative of compulsive gambling, a disorder that can significantly impact many areas of your life.
Research shows problem gamblers are twice as likely to be depressed as those who don’t have a gambling problem.
Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse
Pathological gambling often coexists with other addictions or mental health concerns. In fact, one recent report states that problem gamblers are four times more likely to abuse alcohol2 than those without a gambling problem. Common cross-addictions include gambling with alcoholism and gambling with cocaine addiction, which often go hand-in-hand because of the environments in which people typically gamble, like casinos and parties.
Depression, Anxiety and Pathological Gambling
Gambling impulse-control disorder is also often associated with mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. In fact, problem gamblers are twice as likely to be depressed3 as those who don’t have a gambling problem.
For those struggling with depression or anxiety, gambling can artificially mitigate negative feelings in the moment. But over time, this cycle—feeling depressed or anxious, self-medicating with gambling, eventually losing a bet which leads to even more intense negative feelings, and gambling to combat that depressed or anxious state—gets out of control, and often requires professional treatment to overcome.
Treatment Methods for Gambling Addiction
As problem gambling becomes increasingly widespread, addiction experts work to find innovative and effective treatments, as well as honing time-tested, evidence-based therapy tools. Here are some popular treatment options:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common and effective treatment options for process addictions like gambling. Gambling addiction functions on two levels: automatic and irrational thought patterns, and malfunctioning in the brain’s reward system. CBT works to address both.
The first goal of CBT for gambling addiction4 is to weaken the compulsion to gamble and give you a sense of mastery over this urge. Then, specialized clinicians help you understand, on a neurochemical level, that the long-term negative impacts of gambling far outweigh the short-term pleasure it delivers. Eventually, you’ll be able to employ the healthy strategies you learn in treatment to real-life scenarios.
Medication
In addition to CBT, counselors sometimes prescribe medications to help curb the compulsive behaviors attached to gambling impulse-control disorder. Indeed, the medication most often used to treat gambling addictions are those used to treat other compulsive disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Medication is most effective when used in combination with CBT.
Group Therapy
Group therapy, available both on-site at treatment centers and in the form of fellowships like Gamblers Anonymous, is a truly healing treatment option for gambling addiction. In this setting, you’ll benefit from sharing your story with others, learning you’re not alone and receiving support from those with common experiences. You’ll also have the opportunity to form lasting relationships with people who understand what you’re going through and support your recovery progress.
Holistic Therapies
Holistic modalities like meditation, yoga and massage are a great complement to conventional addiction treatments. Ideally, they should be employed alongside conventional methods like CBT. Holistic therapies encourage healing on all levels for a well-rounded outcome and accelerate your treatment progress. Meditation, for instance, creates a sense of security and mental calm that can help you open up in talk therapy.
Group therapy lets participants share their stories with others with similar experiences, reinforcing the knowledge that you’re not alone.
How to Choose a Gambling Addiction Rehab
Gambling is a complex disorder that has far-reaching effects in all aspects of your life. Dr. Marie Hartwell-Walker, a psychologist and gambling treatment expert, explains, “There is no one size fits all treatment. However, treatment always begins with recognizing the problem. The next step to reclaiming sanity and stability is to see a counselor for an evaluation and a treatment plan.” She recommends a multifaceted gambling addiction treatment approach5 that involves a combination of CBT, treatment for co-occurring disorders, social and family support, medication-assisted recovery and financial help.
There are plenty of available options for addressing problem gambling, with many luxury rehabs offering robust programming that’s focused specifically on this complex disorder. As a precursor to your treatment, consider the following factors:
Who Should Assess Your Situation and Recommend Treatment Options?
You’ve probably heard of various treatment options, like inpatient, outpatient, day treatment and so forth. While inpatient rehab is more intensive and provides a more substantial removal from your triggers, outpatient rehab allows you to continue working, spending time with your family and otherwise attending to your usual responsibilities while in treatment. How do you know which one to pick? The good news is you don’t have to, nor should you. Let a professional conduct a comprehensive clinical evaluation or assessment and provide treatment recommendations accordingly. Primary care physicians can screen for gambling disorder or you can seek out a private therapist or psychiatrist to assess your situation and history. Some treatment centers offer evaluations, conducted by licensed clinicians, separately and will either recommend their services if they are a fit or refer you elsewhere.
Is the Treatment Center Specialized in Gambling Disorders?
When choosing a rehab, specialization is always an important consideration. Addiction is an insidious disorder that functions on multiple levels—mental, emotional, physical and spiritual—and it requires a laser-focused expert approach to unpack. Make sure your rehab has licensed clinicians with experience specifically treating gambling addiction and that they can customize your treatment plan to fit your needs.
Do You Want Holistic Therapy Options?
Successful gambling addiction treatment goes well beyond the initial 28 days. It’s about making changes in your thinking and lifestyle that improve your overall well-being. Choosing a rehab that offers holistic therapies as well as conventional methods ensures you have access to a more complete treatment for your body, mind and spirit. To make the most of your time in rehab, you may want access to activities that keep you relaxed, present and more receptive to treatment.
Finding High-Quality Gambling Addiction Treatment at a Luxury Rehab
Luxury rehab centers have the ability to offer you the best in treatment, addiction experts, location and facilities. High-end rehabs also tend to have a lower staff-to-patient ratio, allowing for more attention and personalized care—all of which has a profound impact on your recovery. For more information on some the best treatment centers worldwide, visit our collection of luxury gambling addiction treatment centers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gambling Addiction Treatment
What type of therapy is used for gambling addiction?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to treat gambling addiction. Usually, rehabs combine this with other treatment methods like family, group, and holistic therapies.
What’s the best treatment for gambling addiction?
There isn’t one best therapy for gambling addiction. Good-quality rehabs customize plans to clients’ needs, which often include common gambling disorder treatments:
• Psychotherapies • Medication • Support groups, like Gamblers Anonymous
