Drug Screen Information:
Safe
Drug List for Recovering Persons
Regardless
of the motivation for taking drugs, the brain does not care how
the drugs got in. Once the receptors are stimulated, cravings can
be started which can make one more uncomfortable than the condition
being treated. The goal in recovery is to be comfortable.
This
list is not exhaustive, and many alternative therapies exist that
can be as helpful as chemicals, e.g. acupressure for headaches and
warm salt water gargles for sore throats and coughs.
| Symptoms |
Over
The Counter (OTC) |
Prescriptions |
| |
Caffeinated drinks
(in moderation) |
|
Stomach upset:
pain, gas, heartburn |
Tums, Tagamet, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepto-Bismol,
Alka-seltzer, Digel, Riopan, Amphojel, Bromoseltzer |
Zantac, Carafate, Pepcid, Axid |
| Anti-diarrheal's |
Donnagel tablets, Kaopectate, Pepto Bismol, Immodium
AD |
Loperamide
(Immodium) |
| Cough medication |
Vick's cough drops,
Safe-Tussin, Delsym, Robitussin (plain) |
Humabid LA,
Organidin NR |
| Anti-inflammatory drugs/pain relievers |
Motrin, Nurprin, Advil, Naprosyn, Aspirin, Tylenol,
Aleve , Magnesium Salicylates |
Toradol, Dolobid, Clinaril, Disalcidm, Imitrex,
Ansaid |
| Anti-histamines/ decongestants/antitussives |
Saline nasal spray,
Claritin, Tavist-1 |
Allegra, Zyrtec, Benzonatate (Tessalon), Entex
LA, Hismanal |
| Constipation relief |
Milk of Magnesia, Senakot, Metamucil, Colace |
|
| Anti-anxiety/sedatives |
Tylenol, Warm milk, Chamomille tea,
Sleepytime tea |
Buspar,
Buspirone HLC |
Anti-convulsant and
mood stablizers |
|
Phenytoin (Dilantin), Carbamazepine (Tegretol),
Valproic Acide (Depakote) |
| Other Anti-depressants |
|
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) |
Other
safe medications:
- All
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
-
All modern anti-hypertensive medications that are prescribed for
general medical conditions such as high blood pressure and infections
are generally safe.
-
All antibiotics
Unsafe
Drug List for Recovering Persons
-
Liquid preparations with alcohol
-
Tranquilizers/sleeping pills
-
All pain medications containing any narcotic substance
-
All muscle relaxants
-
Ultram - Ultram is not safe to take, and should not be taken by
recovering persons. Ultram can reinitiate physical dependence.
It is not safe to be taken by any person with a history of drug
abuse or drug dependence.
-
All diet pills (over-the-counter and prescription)
-
Any preparation that contains alcohol is not safe for recovering
persons. This includes most mouthwashes, cough preparations, colognes,
aftershaves, and perfumes. Alcohol can be present in many OTC
meds and foods (desserts are especially prone to have an alcohol
based icing). Many vanilla extracts contain alcohol. Read the
label if you are not sure. Beware of foods that are prepared with
alcoholic beverages, such as wine or sherry.
As
long as your physician is aware of your recovery, you will generally
be able to get adequate treatment without mood altering substances.
Be sure to get your recovery letter signed by your treating physician
when you are being treated for the first time. There may be a time
when it is medically necessary to get mood altering substances such
as general anesthesia for surgery. There is no reason to suffer
unnecessarily because of the addiction. The experience of most recovering
people, however, is that physical pain will pass quickly and the
tools of the program will assist with this process. If you have
any questions about any medication, please call your case manager.
Remember, you didn't ask for this disease,
but you are responsible for your recovery.
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|
©2004
Tennessee Professional Assistance Program (TnPAP) 
