One aspect of treatment that some clients may need to experience is medication management. Not everyone will need medication as part of their recovery journey. However, some conditions will require its use for proper management. The idea of such can be frightening to some, especially if they have never needed a medication regimen before. Misinformation about medication can also be detrimental, making many fear a tool that can bring them relief.
That’s why it’s common for mental health care and addiction treatment facilities to have a medication management program. It’s not just providing a service to those in treatment. Medication management also is a source of education that can reduce fear. Driftwood Recovery especially is focused on medication safety, as many clients undergo a detox process for addiction during admittance. It’s a way for clients to feel confident about their treatment and trust that they will be safe.
The best way to overcome a fear is to learn more about it. Understanding the ins and outs of medication management may be the key to helping you or a loved one get the treatment they need.
What to Expect With Medication Management
Those who live with chronic conditions, such as anxiety or depression, may require medication as part of treatment. People detoxing from addictive substances may also need medications to stay safe and comfortable during the process. Medication management itself is fairly straightforward. A medical professional makes sure that you are adjusting well to your medication. Meanwhile, a mental health care professional helps you create a routine, take your medicine regularly, and have a healthy outlook regarding medication. By working together, the client’s medical and psychological needs are cared for.
Sometimes a client will need their medication adjusted during the process. This involves a working collaboration between a client and a medical care professional to find the right medications and dosage. To accomplish this, it’s important to be honest and forthcoming about any concerns noticed. This way, medications can be adjusted as needed. During this time, a medical professional will inform the client about the medication they are taking, what it’s side-effects are, and general safety facts. Clients are always informed about their medication options and have an active role in treatment.
Learning to remember to take your medicine is another part of medication management. Medication is most effective when taken at the same time each day. It can be easy to forget to do so, especially when caught up in other forms of treatment. In the beginning, clients will be reminded to take their medication until they become used to the process. The goal is to prepare clients to continue to do so on their own if they still require medication after treatment.
Common Misconceptions About Medication Management
There are a few misconceptions about medication management that can be detrimental to those seeking treatment. One such misconception is that medications, especially psychiatric ones, stifle creativity and personality. That is certainly not true, as several artists and musicians can still create. Medication simply allows them to create without being exhausted from living with untreated conditions. If anything, medications allow them to create more.
Others may be afraid that the process will be aggressive and scary. The truth is that medication management is held to the same standards as any other program at a treatment facility. Clients can expect to be treated with respect and understanding. It’s not unusual for people to need some sort of prescription medication to feel well, especially when they get older. So, no medical or mental health care professional will judge or belittle a client for needing medication.
The medication management process is conducted in such a way that the client remains informed the entire time. No decisions are made without the direct input of the client. Those afraid that their choices will be taken from them have nothing to fear, especially in modern treatment facilities. Clients have more power than what they may expect, a standard that helps them feel more secure.
Staying Safe While Taking Medication
At Driftwood Recovery, safety is a core value. Clients who are struggling with serious addictions, such as opioid and heroin addiction, often require medical intervention for a successful detox and to manage withdrawal symptoms. Part of this may include using prescribed medications temporarily. Those living with longer-lasting or chronic conditions may need prescription medication for the foreseeable future.
To ensure each client has a safe recovery, Driftwood Recovery uses medication management to teach clients how to stay safe even after treatment is completed. Here are a few safety tips that those considering or currently taking prescription medication should remember.
- Always take your medications exactly as prescribed and in the correct dosages
- Be honest with your medical provider about your medical history, allergies, and other medications you are taking, even if they are over-the-counter medications
- Never share your medications with others or take medications from someone else
- Ask your medical provider about side effects, what substances, foods, and other medications may interact with the ones you are prescribed, and how long it will take to see results.
- Never start or stop a medication without first speaking to a medical provider
- Always report unusual or severe side effects or reactions to your medication that you experience
- Store your medications safely by keeping them in original containers, never mixing different medicines in the same bottle, and keeping them out of direct sunlight.
Of course, clients can always talk to a medical or mental health care provider for any reason. Needing medication doesn’t make one weak. It’s a tool to help them manage their symptoms for a more comfortable recovery. By extending trust in your providers, things like medication lose their frightening edge, allowing you to achieve the recovery you deserve.
Some conditions are difficult to manage on their own. That’s why medications can sometimes be a part of an individual’s treatment plan to help clients find relief and manage their symptoms. Though intimidating at first, clients can learn how to effectively and safely use medications to aid in their recovery. That’s why at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, clients who need medications receive help through medication management. This program assists those who require medication by educating them and monitoring their health. Under the supervision of medical professionals, clients can trust that they will remain safe. If you are struggling with addiction and other mental health conditions, don’t wait. Call Driftwood Recovery today at (512) 759-8330.