Medicines

Medicines can help manage withdrawal, treat substance-use disorders or support care for other health conditions. Understanding their different purposes, benefits and risks helps people take an informed part in treatment.

Medicines do different jobs. Treatment for a dangerous withdrawal is different from ongoing treatment for a substance-use disorder, and both differ from treating another condition such as depression. A medicine that makes someone sleepy does not necessarily treat the reason they cannot sleep. Knowing the purpose matters as much as knowing the name.

Medicine-based treatment can be part of recovery. Physical dependence on a prescribed medicine is not, by itself, addiction, and receiving ongoing treatment is not proof of failed progress. Decisions should consider the person's goals, health, other medicines and daily circumstances. Questions about benefit, adverse effects and practical difficulties deserve a clear answer.

Alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines and some other medicines can interact dangerously. Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about everything being taken, including non-prescribed substances and supplements. Do not abruptly stop or sharply reduce a medicine that can cause withdrawal without medical advice. Suspected poisoning with slow or difficult breathing, a seizure or an inability to wake needs emergency medical help. Sudden confusion needs immediate medical help.

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