Withdrawal and initial recovery from certain drugs can induce dysphoria, depression, anxiety and other psychiatric conditions. These acute psychiatric conditions can increase suicide or bodily harm behaviors, reduce the ability to stay within drug treatment and decrease participation in the programming of drug treatment.
Withdrawal is often described as a condition in which the opposite effects of intoxication are experienced. For stimulant euphoria producing drugs such as crystal meth, cocaine, and even opiates type drugs, this can result in the experience of anxiety and severe depression during initial treatment. Cocaine and crystal meth users can continue to suffer the depressive and dysphoric effects of withdrawal for months or years.
To reduce discomfort and increase safety and ability to participate in treatment, acute doses of anti depressants or anxiolitics are sometimes prescribed. The variety of possible psychiatric medications are great, and psychiatrists will recommend a most appropriate medication depending on the unique needs of the individual patient.
Because certain anti anxiety drugs have abuse potential, only those medications without the possibility of inducing dependence are considered appropriate during the period of drug treatment.
Psychiatric medications in drug treatment improve the recovering addict's ability to benefit from the lessons of drug rehab.
page last update Aug 05, 2010
