Addiction treatment and rehab for Elavil should involve a cautious and careful approach involving therapy to make sure that a patient does not later resume use of the medication.

Elavil (Amitriptyline) Addiction Treatment And Rehab

People who are given antidepressants like amitriptyline should never be encouraged to go off the drug “cold turkey” or all at once. Amitriptyline builds up in a person’s system, which means that it takes time for a person’s body to eliminate the medication from their system. As a result, addiction treatment and rehab for amitriptyline should involve a cautious and careful approach involving therapy to make sure that a patient does not later resume use of the medication. This article will discuss some of the other important details about receiving rehabilitation from amitriptyline.

Treatment Options For Elavil (Amitriptyline) Addiction Symptoms

There are several treatment options available for a person who requires addiction issues with Elavil:

  • Group Counseling. These programs include therapy with other individuals who have the same or similar substance issues.
  • Individual Counseling. During this type of counseling, one person is the sole focus of the therapist.
  • Inpatient. This type of treatment involves a person being admitted to a hospital or clinic where they remain during withdrawal.
  • Outpatient. This type of program does not require a person to live there during treatment.

There is some dispute in the medical community about whether a person can be addicted to antidepressants in the same way that they would become addicted to another substance like alcohol or heroin. The following signs, however, are some of the indications that a person has addiction issues with Elavil:

  • Asking medical professionals for a larger dose of medication.
  • Going to multiple doctors to receive more medication.
  • Stealing medication or buying them off of the street.
  • Taking the medication in combination with alcohol or illegal drugs.
  • Using the drug in any way other than intended.

Some of the physical signs of drug misuse include the following:

  • Agitation
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Drowsiness
  • Headaches
  • Muscle aches
  • Seizures
  • Vision changes
  • Worsening depression

Elavil (Amitriptyline) Medical Detox

One of the best ways to safely withdraw from amitriptyline is to do so in a medical setting. This way, in case serious side effects or any type of emergency situation occurs, a person is already in a safe place where medical providers can provide around-the-clock care. Given the great importance of safe medical detox, this phase of withdrawal comprises the first phase of all inpatient medical rehabilitation programs.

Elavil (Amitriptyline) Rehabilitation Programs

The treatment process for Elavil involves both medical detox as well as therapy that helps a patient understand how and why their addiction occurred. The goal of rehabilitation programs is to help patients learn the mechanisms necessary to get through their life and stress factors without returning to using Elavil.

Inpatient Elavil (Amitriptyline) Rehab

Inpatient rehabilitation programs place a person under 24-hour supervision of medical care. These centers help to remove the temptation that some people have to continue using the medication. A person can expect to receive care at these centers for several days up to several months. These centers are often the best fit for people who have been taking a large dose of Elavil, who notice serious side effects due to withdrawal or who have previously tried unsuccessfully to discontinue the medication.

Outpatient Elavil (Amitriptyline) Rehab

Outpatient treatment helps patients to wean a person off of amitriptyline without putting a block on their personal and professional lives. Services that are provided outpatient are attractive to many people because they do not require a person to put their life on pause. As a result of this benefit, this option is the type of therapy that is most commonly chosen by patients.

Choosing An Elavil (Amitriptyline) Rehab Center

There are many important factors to be considered when deciding a rehab center to treat addiction with Elavil. Some of the factors that a person should consider include the following:

  • The location of the rehab center and whether it is close enough to the person who requires treatment.
  • Whether the facility is properly licensed, certified and accredited to provide the appropriate level of care.
  • What types of therapies are offered by the center, which can include individual, group and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
  • Whether the center incorporates the 12-step program into its core principles or does not include this information.
  • The reputation of the rehab center in the surrounding community.
  • The cost of obtaining services and whether these expenses will be covered by insurance or whether you will be required to pay out of pocket.
  • Whether family will be involved in therapy.
  • Whether the therapy program will assist in creating an aftercare program.

There are many important decisions that a person must make in selecting the best rehabilitation center possible. The best centers will be able to help a person successfully withdraw from Elavil addiction.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.