Using medication to treat addiction and mental health issues increases every year. In the US, prescription drugs sales steadily increase each year, with 2021 reaching 1.3 trillion in revenue. What is pharmacotherapy treatment, and how can it benefit you? A pharmacotherapy treatment center provides monitored medication to help reduce symptoms of mental health issues like addiction, depression, anxiety, and gender-related mental health issues.
At Arkview Recovery Center, we provide pharmacotherapy treatment for men and women who struggle with a number of mental health issues. Moreover, medical staff will administer medication to reduce withdrawal symptoms and stop the endless cycle of negative thinking. Call 717.744.0756 today to learn more about our pharmacotherapy treatment if you have questions about pharmacotherapy treatment.
What is Pharmacotherapy Treatment?
Pharmacotherapy is the treatment of a disease or disorder through medication. In fact, medication to treat mental health issues has been around since the 1950s. Since then, science has continued to make improvements in the medicine we use today. For instance, using opioids to combat drug and alcohol addiction.
Medications such as naltrexone, buprenorphine, and methadone help patients recover from addiction by binding with the mu-opioid receptors in the body. It prevents the neurotransmitters from signaling the release of dopamine, which is responsible for the euphoric feeling that your body can never reproduce on its own without more of your substance of choice.
One of the main reasons for relapse is when men and women try to break their addiction without help. Instead of going into withdrawal, patients can slowly detox off of drugs or alcohol while continuing their behavioral treatment with pharmacotherapy.
Anti-depressants work in a similar fashion. They balance out your brain chemistry by controlling the release of certain chemicals that help control mood and emotions. As a result, these medications help improve your mood, concentration, appetite, and sleep patterns.
Patients who self-medicate to treat their mental health issues are at a greater risk of forming an addiction. Even when using small amounts, you are changing your brain chemistry to rely more and more on drugs or alcohol. As tolerance levels increase, so will the amounts you take.
Benefits of Pharmacotherapy Treatment
Pharmacotherapy is very beneficial to many patients who enroll in a treatment center that combines behavioral therapy with pharmacotherapy treatment. Doing so allows you to begin your recovery right away instead of waiting for your withdrawal symptoms to diminish enough for you to focus on more than just your cravings.
When combined with behavioral therapy, just some of the benefits you will receive through pharmacotherapy treatment include:
- Improved patient survival rates
- Improved retention rates for treatment
- Decrease in drug or alcohol use and associated criminal activity
- Improves patients chances for gaining and maintaining employment
- Improves women’s chances of having a successful pregnancy
Pharmacotherapy is not simply replacing one drug with another. Instead, the goal of any mental health treatment plan is for you to be 100% free of drugs and alcohol by the end of your residential treatment program.
Arkview Recovery Center Uses Pharmacotherapy Treatment to Help with Your Recovery Process
At Arkview Recovery Center, we help men and women in Pennsylvania who are struggling with mental health issues. At our center, you will receive a thorough evaluation upon starting your mental health treatment. Therapists and medical professionals will discuss your treatment options with you and form a holistic treatment plan to give you the best chances of recovery.
Pharmacotherapy treatment is beneficial in helping patients when combined with other therapy programs such as:
- Men’s rehab program
- Women’s rehab program
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Residential treatment program
- Detox program
For more information about pharmacotherapy treatment and how it can help you or a loved one, call 717.744.0756 today to speak with our caring staff about our pharmacotherapy treatment center.
Kyle is Lead Therapist at Arkview Recovery Center. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Temple University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He has years of experience working directly with individuals who suffer from addiction and mental health disorders. Being in long term recovery himself, Kyle is very passionate about the recovery process. He is heavily involved in the local recovery community in which he enjoys his commitments to service and giving back. His specialty is in group therapy and developing clinical staff. Kyle brings to Arkview a holistic approach to recovery, specializing in mindfulness, reality therapy, and solution-focused therapy.
