reducing addiction drug therapy

Question 1

What is drug therapy and how is it used in the treatment of addiction?

Answer 1

Drug therapy (pharmacotherapy) treats addiction by administering medically approved drugs that interact with the body to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, or block the effects of addictive substances.

Question 2

What is replacement therapy and give an example?

Answer 2

A safer, controlled substitute is used to replace the addictive drug, easing withdrawal symptoms and reducing harm.

Example: Methadone replaces heroin in opioid addiction.

Question 3

What is blocking therapy in addiction treatment and give an example?

Answer 3

Antagonist drugs bind to receptors without causing a high, preventing the addictive substance from having an effect.

Example: Naltrexone for opioid/alcohol addiction.

Question 4

How does aversion therapy work as a drug treatment?

Answer 4

It pairs the addictive substance with unpleasant effects.

Example: Disulfiram causes nausea/vomiting when combined with alcohol, discouraging use through classical conditioning.

Question 5

What does research say about the effectiveness of methadone in opioid addiction?

Answer 5

Mattick et al. (2009) meta-analysis of 11 RCTs found methadone significantly suppressed heroin use (based on self-report and biological measures) and improved treatment retention.

Question 6

What are some limitations of drug therapies in terms of side effects?

Answer 6

Methadone may cause respiratory issues and arrhythmia; disulfiram can lead to liver damage, which may reduce adherence to treatment or create additional health risks.

Question 7

What is a key limitation of drug therapy in addressing addiction holistically?

Answer 7

Drug therapies do not address root causes like trauma, stress, or social context. They’re most effective when integrated with psychological and social interventions.