In the Atlanta, GA area, substance abuse is a major problem. Many people struggling with opioid addiction aren’t sure how to go about getting help. If this describes you, you should know that there is drug addiction help available to you, but you need to take the first step to contact a clinic that offers this type of treatment.

Patient Education

Before your appointment at the clinic, you should become informed about the nature of opiate addiction treatment. One common treatment method is the use of a class of medications known as opioid partial agonists . These are opioid medications that latch onto the same receptors in the brain as do opioid drugs. However, opioid partial agonists do not produce a feeling of euphoria. Instead, they work by blocking the unpleasant effects of drug withdrawal.

Initial Therapy

If this will be your first time receiving this type of addiction treatment, then you should plan for a lengthy first appointment. The doctor will likely ask you to take a urine test to check for the presence of drugs. Then, you’ll be advised of the basics of the treatment program and how to use the medication. Your doctor will determine an appropriate dosage for you, but this dosage may need to be adjusted later.

Dosage Administration

This type of medication is available in different forms. One of the most common is a sublingual film, which is placed under the tongue and allowed to fully dissolve. Drink some water before placing the film under your tongue. When doing so, hold the film between your fingers by its outside edges and place the film close to the base of the tongue. Do not chew or swallow the film; allow it to fully dissolve.

Ongoing Maintenance

It’s likely that you’ll return to the clinic for follow-up appointments on a weekly basis until you’re in an established routine. After that, your follow-up appointments may become less frequent. Your urine may be randomly tested from time to time. If you experience any problems with the medication, such as side effects or decreased effectiveness, you should inform your doctor. This type of addiction treatment allows patients to work through other addiction therapies without suffering the ill effects of withdrawal.

Low testosterone, or low T, is an extremely frustrating problem that is also exceedingly common. Men who suffer from low T experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including reduced muscle tone, low sex drive, fatigue, weight gain, and depression. Many different things can contribute to low T, and determining the underlying cause can be part of treating the problem. Alcoholism and opioid use are two significant contributing factors for low testosterone. Obesity, diabetes, infections, injuries, and corticosteroid use can also lead to low levels of testosterone. Find out more about the common causes of low T in this infographic from Altergyn, LLC . We provide bio-identical hormone replacement therapy in Atlanta, GA, so men suffering from low T can get symptom relief without the risk of other medical treatment options, like testosterone lotions. Make an appointment for medical care today if you are living with low T symptoms, and please share this information to help others learn about their options.

If you sustain severe car accident injuries, you may be prescribed opiate medications to control the pain. These potent painkillers are certainly useful for some people on a short-term basis. However, over time, they can create more problems than they resolve. Substance abuse in Atlanta may be partially attributed to individuals who began using opiates for legitimate purposes. In addition to the problem of opiate addiction , the long-term use of these drugs may disrupt the endocrine system.

Opiates are powerful chemicals that can disrupt the levels of thyroid hormones. Cortisol and testosterone are other hormones that may develop imbalances due to long-term opiate use. The result can be chronic fatigue, depression, emotional instability, sleep disturbances, metabolic changes, and sexual dysfunction. When seeking treatment for opiate addiction, it may be necessary to consider hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy can help restore wellness and quality of life while you’re working to beat your addiction to opioids.

Altergyn, LLC is pleased to offer comprehensive drug addiction treatment near Atlanta. When you seek help for drug abuse, you can count on comprehensive medical care from compassionate physicians.

Drug addiction is a disease. Just like any other illness, addiction requires medical treatment. If you or a loved one suffers from a substance abuse problem, it is important to find a treatment center with extensive experience in drug addiction treatment. When it comes to opioid dependence, individuals face a long road of recovery. Patients will experience physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal and intense cravings. With medical treatment, a physician can closely supervise each patient throughout the process to ensure that they can safely recover. A doctor who offers Buprenorphine (Suboxone) therapy for drug addiction is also able to significantly reduce the painful and uncomfortable side effects of withdrawal. Buprenorphine effectively binds to the same chemical receptors in the brain as narcotics. Buprenorphine allows individuals who have a substance abuse problem to slowly reduce their chemical dependencies on illegal drugs. A doctor who provides medical treatment for drug addiction is also able to diagnose the hormonal imbalances and deficiencies that stem from chronic opioid abuse.