Can I Take My Medications While in Rehab?

If you take prescription medications and are considering entering rehab for drug or alcohol addiction, you may be wondering how your medications will be affected during treatment.

The answer is not straightforward, as different rehabilitation facilities have varying policies regarding the use of prescription medications. Each facility may have different rules about what is allowed when it comes to prescribed drugs.

This article will discuss addiction treatment and medications, outlining what is typically permitted in rehab programs. Additionally, it will provide guidance on how to prepare for managing your medications while in rehab if you take prescription drugs.

While there are certain policies and regulations that you can likely expect when it comes to prescription medications in rehab, other policies can vary significantly between centers.

It is very common for rehab centers to offer their policies on a case-by-case basis. This is because not all patients have the same healthcare needs or risks.

Rehab center policies and rehab medication rules include information about:

• Medication management
• Supervised medication use
• Limited access to certain medications
• Confidentiality and compliance

Medical professionals at the substance abuse treatment center will be responsible for assessing patients and managing their medications. This includes tasks such as prescribing new medications, updating existing prescriptions, and regularly checking in with patients to monitor how they are coping with any side effects.

Facilities are likely to have different rehab policies on prescriptions depending on the type of rehab center that they are. For instance, inpatient rehab facilities will typically have much stricter rules than outpatient facilities.

Along these same lines, rehab centers that are specific to treating opioid use disorders may have different rules than those that are treating alcohol use disorders.

Every rehab will have its own rules about medications that it allows, so always check with your individual facility.

The medications that are most often allowed in rehab programs are those that are prescribed for a chronic illness, health problem, or a type of mental illness.

Allowed medications in rehab include:

• Asthma medications
• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotic medications
• Diabetes medications
• Blood pressure medications

People who enter a rehab facility with a prescription for a condition like depression, anxiety, or chronic pain will need to continue with these medications. It will be up to staff members to administer these rehab-approved medications, however, at specific times and with doses that are carefully measured.

As mentioned, it is up to staff members to measure and distribute prescription drugs in rehab, to ensure that patients are carefully monitored throughout the process. Staff members can also look out for signs of misuse or abuse, and can observe directly how the medications are affecting people.

Just as each center has its own rules about what medications to allow, they also have rules about restricted medications in rehab.

The medications not allowed in rehab usually include things like narcotics and stimulants, or anything with a high potential for abuse. For this reason, you are likely to see drugs that are considered opioids or benzodiazepines to be restricted or prohibited drugs in rehab centers.

When medications are banned in a rehab facility it is generally because that medication has the potential to be abused or to otherwise interfere with treatment. Because of this, you are likely to see pain medications that cause a high or that are considered addictive to be banned in a lot of alcohol and drug rehabs.

Sometimes a rehab facility may be able to provide safe alternatives to a restricted medication, or they may have to make adjustments for certain situations. The facility may also be able to make adjustments based on individual patients. For example, one patient may need to take Adderall for their ADHD, while another patient may have a history of addiction to Adderall.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based tool in addiction treatment that serves as a type of long-term detox for alcohol and drug use.

MAT uses different drugs to help people taper off drugs slowly and comfortably and is most commonly done with opioid use disorders or alcohol use disorders. MAT programs often consist of treatment over several months, and are often started while in residential treatment and then continued along with therapy in an outpatient setting.

Medications that are most commonly used in rehab centers include methadone, Suboxone, and naltrexone. They are considered opioid replacement medications.

It is important to note that opioid replacement medications like methadone in rehab or Suboxone in rehab are also opioids themselves, but are less addictive and do not cause a euphoric high for the person taking them.

One of the biggest concerns with addiction recovery with medications is that the medications in themselves that are used have a small potential to be abused. They are, however, generally considered safe if the patient is carefully monitored and most medical professionals would agree that the benefits outweigh these concerns.

Prescription management in rehab is essential and any medications that are given while in rehab need to be administered and monitored closely.

Medications that are administered in rehab are done so under strict supervision. This is to ensure no abuse or misuse occurs. Furthermore, medications are usually administered to all patients at the same time and on a strict schedule to limit the possibility of errors or missed doses.

It is essential to have medical healthcare professionals on hand at rehab centers to make sure that medications are given at the proper times and in the proper dosages. These professionals should also be aware of the side effects of common medications and know the signs to look out for in case of abuse.

Patients are closely monitored to ensure that no misuse is occurring, such as taking higher doses than prescribed or sharing medications with others. In some instances, patients may even be supervised as they take their medications to ensure that everything is done properly.

It is very common for people who are entering addiction rehab to have co-occurring mental health disorders, like depression or anxiety, for which they are on prescription medicine.

People who are taking mental health medications before entering rehab must be able to continue doing so, as stopping mental health medications in addiction recovery abruptly can cause severe side effects.

Side effects from stopping antidepressants in rehab can be both physical and mental, and can even put a person at risk for self-harm or suicide.

Rehab centers provide other forms of support to patients with co-occurring mental health disorders, such as multiple kinds of therapy. There are also support groups that can help people feel a sense of community and find a place to share their stories with others in similar situations.

Mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, therapists, and counselors, are essential in rehab centers for monitoring medications. This is because professionals in this role have a better understanding of mental health and related medications than other types of doctors or staff.

Many people have concerns about drug interactions in rehab, especially if they end up being prescribed new medications during their stay.

Any time multiple medications are taken there is a risk for interactions to occur, whether they are prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs. In addition to this, certain medications should not be taken by people with certain medical conditions, as dangerous side effects can occur.

Medical professionals who handle prescription medications can recognize potential interactions and make adjustments or substitutions when necessary. This can prevent negative interactions from occurring and protect the overall well-being of each patient.

To ensure that you receive proper medical care and that you practice safe medication use in rehab, it is essential to always disclose every medication you are taking.

Otherwise, you face the risk not only of dangerous drug interactions but also the risk of taking a medication that could be dangerous for you based on your individual health conditions.

It is not unusual for people to be prescribed new medications while in treatment for a substance use disorder, and there are typically measures in place to ensure this is done smoothly.

You may be prescribed a new medication while in rehab, possibly to address your mental health or a newly diagnosed condition. New prescriptions in rehab will likely be based on what is readily available within the facility, or easily obtainable so that it can be started right away.

You will need to go through medical evaluations periodically to ensure that you are staying safe on the medication and not experiencing any unpleasant side effects. This also means collaborating with external healthcare providers to ensure that evaluations are continued even after treatment at the rehab center is complete.

It is always a good idea to prepare in advance and make a medication plan for rehab to address any concerns you have.

If you take any prescription medications before entering rehab you should let them know in advance and find out what their specific protocol is.

If you need to refill any of your prescriptions or get evaluated again, it would be a good idea to take care of these things while doing your prescription prep for rehab and before starting your treatment program.

It is important to receive a medical evaluation before beginning treatment so that your diagnosis is up-to-date for any co-occurring conditions that you have. This evaluation can also help the medical team determine if you are currently taking the best options for you or if perhaps some adjustments should be made.

It is important to speak up and advocate for yourself when it comes to communicating your needs regarding medical conditions and medications. This can be done in regard to adding new medications, changing or adjusting current medications, or removing medications from your treatment plan.

All drug and rehab centers will also have their own rules regarding over-the-counter medications in addition to prescription medications.

You will want to check with the individual treatment center that you will be attending to learn about their guidelines for over-the-counter medications and supplements.

While these medications and supplements may have their benefits, they still need to be regulated by rehab policies on non-prescription drugs to ensure that they are not being abused or misused.

Some centers limit or prohibit the use of OTC medications in rehab to keep patients focused on their treatment and to ensure everyone’s safety. Medications that are obtained OTC may also be more difficult for the facility staff to monitor to make sure they aren’t being abused or misused.

You may be able to obtain certain OTC medications if you request approval from the facility in advance. Check with the office of your facility if this is something you are interested in, as there are likely to be forms that you will need to fill out.

Detox is an important step in the recovery process, with most types of detox using medications to help people get through withdrawal and cravings.

While some types of detox, like observational or social detox, do not use medications, their use is a crucial component of many detox programs. Detox medications in rehab are often the safest and most comfortable option when patients are coming off drugs that are highly addictive and have particularly challenging withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal from certain addictive substances, primarily alcohol and opioids, is known to be very uncomfortable and can even be life-threatening. Common medications that are used at recovery centers to assist with the withdrawal period include buprenorphine, trazodone, naltrexone, and methadone.

The detox process with medications is always medically monitored and done under strict supervision. This ensures that patients are safe and comfortable throughout the withdrawal period and that they have access to immediate medical care if necessary.

There are several medication myths in rehab, some of which may prevent individuals from seeking treatment.

One of the biggest myths to address before entering rehab is that people will not be allowed to take any medications or that all of their medications will be stopped upon entering. This is not the case at all, as many people would not be able to enter rehab without medications they rely on to take daily.

If you still need to dispel any fears or concerns that you are having about rehab and prescribed drugs, you may want to communicate with the rehab center directly. This should be done before you enter the rehab program so that you do not run into surprises that make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

If you or a loved one is seeking a rehab center for alcohol or drug addiction, you should not have to worry about taking medications in rehab or other barriers that could prevent you from following through.

If you need assistance in locating a rehab in your area that provides addiction treatment and medication management, contact RehabNet.com today.

Let us know if you have questions about rehab and prescribed medication and we can help you as we have helped thousands of others to get started on the path to a healthy and drug-free lifestyle.