Specific Therapies
Our medications include IV therapies that drastically decrease and may even prevent many symptoms of withdrawal with the most common being extreme anxiousness, agitation, muscle cramps and even withdrawal seizures. We also use state-of-the-art IV therapy with medications such as Ketamine which can assist with co-morbid conditions associated with substance abuse such as depression, PTSD, pain control, and general anxiety.
Ketamine is a powerful tool that can assist in the maintenance of sobriety. Post-Acute-Withdrawal Syndrome is an emotional and psychological withdrawal phase that occurs shortly after physical detoxification. Ketamine infusions help to quickly treat depression, anxiety, and pain, which frequently go hand in hand with addiction. It also acts to significantly reduce the cravings that usually lead to a patient’s return to substance abuse. In several recent studies, ketamine has been shown to prolong abstinence from alcohol and heroin in detoxified alcoholics and heroin-dependent individuals. It is also able to significantly reduce cravings in cocaine abusers as well.
NAD+, or Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, is a naturally occurring co-enzyme of niacin that is known to help our body produce energy and assist in detoxifying cells in the body. This process is believed to promote natural cell regeneration by stimulating DNA repair and to improve cellular communication throughout the body. While everyone detoxs differently, NAD+ therapy helps decrease the severity of withdrawal symptoms by 50-70% in some cases. This depends on factors such as body make up, type of substance, and amount of use.
We utilize another cutting-edge devise known as Bridge Therapy. It has been approved by the FDA and has been shown to curb the cravings for many substances and alleviate most of the withdrawal symptoms. Early application is proving to be another great adjuvant to a successful transition.
Buprenorphine is currently the standard of care in the treatment of acute opioid withdrawal, as well as for the maintenance of chronic opioid use disorder. Buprenorphine is an opioid that is used to treat opioid addiction. In 2002, The FDA approved brand name drugs Suboxone and Subutex to help prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings on patients currently dependent on opioids such as oxycodone, heroin, and many others. This medication works by partially binding to and blocking the opioid receptors in the brain. The effects on minimizing the acute detoxification symptoms are substantial. It can be used during detox alone or continued after withdrawal symptoms have ceased as a maintenance drug to help keep patients from returning to old behaviors. If continued following detox, patient are typically weaned down gradually, in combination with group therapy, counseling, and other adjunct treatments.
Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medicine for the treatment of opiate dependence. It blocks the brain’s opiate receptors and reduces cravings. We highly encourage our patients to have Naltrexone Pellet implants. These have been shown to provide up to 6 months of support to prevent relapses, giving time to build quality relationships and healthy habits.
In addition to the specific therapies stated above, we also use many of the traditional medications used in the acute withdrawal process. The Genesis Project difference is that we have the ability to safely administer many of the medications intravenously. This allows for faster onset in achieving smoother resolution of symptoms and better control of the detoxification experience.