Family Issues That Impede Drug Addiction Treatment In Oklahoma
Unlikely as it might seem, there are certain family related issues that are proving to be an impediment in the drug addiction treatment in Oklahoma. The family is expected to be one of the strongest pillars in the addiction treatment program but, on the contrary, it is seen that the drug addiction treatment in Oklahoma is impeded by problems such as ignorance, codependency and family issues that might crop up as a byproduct of the addiction in the house. When that happens, it is definitely a sorry state because not only does the patient go deeper into the addiction, but the family also begins to require treatment. This is not just for addiction treatment involving young patients, but these family issues are also seen with older people who are into an addiction.
Let us take a look at some of the family problems that are rocking the scene of drug addiction treatment in Oklahoma and also check out how these problems are being circumvented.
1. Ignorance
Ignorance about drug addiction is rampant in Oklahoma. People do not still know what it is about and always think a substance abuse condition is something that cannot happen in their own house. This feeling of complacency is actually adding to the problem.
Most families do not know that there is someone with an addiction problem in their house until it is too late. The signs may be quite apparent, but families who are ignorant or complacent about addiction related issues will not be able to read them. This will lead the patient to remain with the addiction till it reaches a heightened condition. At this point, it becomes quite difficult for the families to suitably intervene in the addiction treatment program for the patient even if they wanted to.
Then there is another kind of ignorance that becomes a problem. This is the ignorance that exists with finding the way the addiction treatment program works. There are several options for drug addiction treatment in Oklahoma, but families may not know about them. Even the word “rehab” is quite a collective term, because there are various ways in which rehab treatment can be implemented. Families who are not aware that there are different treatment programs will not be able to find a program that is suitable to the condition of the patient.
2. Codependency Issues
Codependency happens when an external person or persons is instrumental in keeping an addict into the addicted state, i.e. away from a mode of treatment. This is seen in several families in Oklahoma that have an addicted person. A simple example is when families put the addiction of someone among them under wraps. They might do this for fear of social ridicule or to escape being named in an offense that the addicted person has committed. Though this might be out of love for the addicted person, in fact, it helps in giving a wrong signal to the addict and keeping him or her under the addiction for longer.
The issue of codependency is most rampant in families because they are the groups that will try to hide a person’s addiction. Families need to be counseled for coming out of this situation. Various counseling groups that exist in the state are quite active in this activity.
3. Emotional Issues
Families that are not adept at handling addiction and substance abuse situations are quite likely to go into emotional overdrive. There might be people in the family who take the person’s addiction in quite a wrong manner and develop emotional problems themselves. They might go under depression, have anxiety, develop phobias and might even develop some cardiovascular problems such as hypertension.
This is a big handicap in the program for drug addiction treatment in Oklahoma because it magnifies the problem instead of solving it. These families are not able to properly intervene for the patient’s treatment, which entails convincing and motivating them to accept treatment, and they will not be able to monitor the condition of the patient even when the patient is admitted into the treatment center. A very important role of the family is during the aftercare process when the family is coached to monitor the patient so that he or she does not have a relapse. However, a family that is prone to emotional instability will not be able to participate in any manner at this stage, making it quite difficult to prevent a re-addiction possibility in the patient.
Counseling is the only way these problems can be removed. The state program of drug addiction treatment in Oklahoma is spending a lot of effort and resources in making this happen.
Alcohol Withdrawal Treatments
They say that too much of anything is bad for your health. And this is true for almost everything. And when it comes to alcohol, it\’s even more. If you drink just for the sake of company or because you like it and it\’s not a habit, it\’s fine. That will lead you to keeping a check on how much you drink. But those who are totally engulfed in this habit, leading to alcohol addiction, then people, a big problem is awaiting you. An even bigger problem is when a compulsive and addicted drinker decides to quit drinking. It causes some behavioral and physiological effects on the individual. That is what alcohol withdrawal refers to. It requires urgent alcohol treatment.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
When experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, an individual experiences restlessness, cannot concentrate on things at hand, trembling, lack of sleep, fatigue, depression, irritability, shakiness and so on. These were mild symptoms and there can be severe withdrawal symptoms like black out, convulsions, state of delirium, agitation, high temperatures and so on. Moderate withdrawal symptoms include sweating, headaches, rapid heart rate, pallor, clammy skin, abnormal eye lid movements, tremor of hands, etc. Overall the person cannot think clearly. All these symptoms require alcohol withdrawal treatment and immediate attention.
Treatment For Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal treatment is a treatment to help alcohol addicts deal with their withdrawal symptoms better and get rid of them as far as possible. The course of treatment depends on how serious the addiction and Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are. The more serious the condition the more desperate the measures will be and their duration.
Sedatives: The first thing which is prescribed for Alcohol withdrawal is Benzodiazepines. Usually, the patients are given this anti-anxiety drug, that controls the nerve cell excitability in the brain. This curtails the development of other symptoms like delirium tremens, and cuts down the risk of seizures. Tranquilizers like Valium are used for achieving this effect. Physicians bank upon more on diazepams lorazepam or midazolam. Diazepam is mostly given intravenously, periodically, which leads to heavy sedation. This is the basic component of treatment of alcohol withdrawal.
Specific Medication for Mild to Moderate Withdrawal
For reducing the tremors and slowing down the heart rate, beta blockers like propranolol and antenolol are prescribed. Benzodiazepines are sometimes complemented by beta blockers. In addition to that, anti-seizure medications are given. Anti-seizure agents- carbamazepine, or divalproex sodium are effective for the reduction in the need for benzodiazepines.
For Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
The state of delirium is tackled initially, when it comes to severe symptoms. Treating delirium tremens include intravenous anti-anxiety medications. This condition should be given a top priority as it could prove to be fatal. People whose heart rate gets disturbed due to Alcohol withdrawal are mostly prescribed Lidocaine. Another important guideline is that it is absolutely essential to administer fluids. The next level of progression, seizures, can be dealt with, effectively, again by bezodiazepines. In case the patients have a history of seizures, or epilepsy, or seizures that cannot be controlled, benzodiazepines along with phenytoin is the suggested treatment. A patient\’s heart should be constantly monitored as this medication lowers the blood pressure. Similarly, for psychosis, basically involving hallucinations or extremely aggressive behavior, antipsychotic drugs, specifically haloperidol can be administered.
Negative Side Of Benzodiazepines
All said and done, benzodiazepines, even though they are the most primary element of alcohol withdrawal treatment, they come with their baggage of side effects. Patients often experience day time drowsiness and hangover feeling as a side effect of benzodiazepines. Apparently, the drugs tend to stimulate eating, which can result in weight gain. Benzodiazepines are active with a few drugs like antihistamines, oral contraceptives and cimetidine. If used in combination with alcohol, benzodiazepines can prove to be fatal.
Nursing mothers and pregnant women should not be prescribed benzodiazepines, as it is linked to a number of birth defects as well. Indulging in alcoholism is harmful for the health of pregnant women. Therefore, that should be avoided rather than getting medication later.
Now, over a period of time, these agents lose their effectiveness, which again puts it in a disadvantageous situation. And if the medication is increased, to prevent anxiety, that leads to addiction in patients. The patients then start depending on benzodiazepines. Now ironically when people used to be administered benzodiazepines, and then discontinue the consumption, they would experience mild rebound symptoms. Again the longer duration of the consumption, the severer the symptoms. So, even that has to be taken care of in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal.
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