Chicago Patient Handbook 2023 - 49

Miscellaneous
Diet Medications
The majority of diet medications have stimulant
properties; many contain actual amphetamines,
which are extremely addictive. Therefore, it is highly
recommended that you avoid all of these types of
medications.
Some specific examples of diet pills that should be
AVOIDED are:
* Sibutramine (Meridia-Rx)
* Phentermine (Adipex-Rx)
* Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine-Rx)
Mouthwash
Many OTC mouthwashes contain anywhere from 9-21
percent alcohol. Any brand of mouthwash that contains
alcohol SHOULD NOT be used. Some examples of
brands that contain alcohol are: Listerine, Plax, Cepacol,
and Scope.
Some brands that are OKAY to use are: Colgate,
Fluorigard, ACT, and ACT Kids.
Sleep Agents
It is best to AVOID all sleep medications since they
have depressant-like properties. The best treatment for
insomnia is to find ways to relax. Some find it helpful to
meditate, listen to music, or take a hot bath before bed.
It is extremely important to find something that works
for you. If you still have difficulty falling or staying
asleep, discuss this with your physician and recovery
team.
The following are some common medications used for
sleep that you should AVOID:
* All Benzodiazepenes
* Diphenhydramine (Unisom, Sominex-OTC)
* Zolpidem (Ambien-Rx)
* Zaleplon (Sonata-Rx)
* Eszopiclone (Lunesta - Rx)
Motion Sickness
Again, the majority of these agents have mood-altering
effects and should be AVOIDED. A few examples are:
* Meclizine (Bonine-OTC, Antivert-Rx)
* Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine-OTC)
* Scopolamine patch (Transderm Scop-Rx)
48
Options for Opioid Treatment &
Overdose Prevention
People who have an opioid use disorder should know
about treatment options that are available. Here is a
brief description of some of the options.
Counseling
Individual and group counseling often focus on getting
a person to stop using drugs. Treatment then shifts to
helping the person stay free of drugs. The counselor
tries to help the person:
* See the problem and make changes
* Repair damaged relationships
* Build new community with people who do not use
drugs
Members of counseling groups support each other
and help find ways to live without using drugs. Group
members also share their experiences and talk about
their feelings and problems, and many find that others
have similar problems. Counseling groups may also
explore spirituality and its role in recovery.
Education groups help people learn about their illness
and how to manage it. People learn about the effects
of drug misuse on their brains and bodies. Training
can include learning and practicing employment skills,
leisure activities, communication skills, social skills,
anger management, stress management, goal setting,
and money and time management.
Medication-assisted therapy
Medications, in combination with counseling and
other behavioral therapies, are an important element of
treatment for many patients. Medications that can help
individuals addicted to heroin or other opioids stabilize
their lives and reduce illicit drug use include:
* Buprenorphine
* Methadone
* Naltrexone
Because methadone and buprenorphine are themselves
opioids, some people view these treatments for opioid
dependence as substitutions of one addictive drug
for another. However, this is not the case when they
are taken as prescribed. These are extremely effective
medications that save lives, keep people abstinent
and provide the foundation for life change. Patients
Chicago Patient Handbook 2023

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