newlifeoutlook
Treatments

Efficacy of Drug Treatment for Addiction

Feb 11, 2014
  • Traditional Medicine
Pharmacist assisting a customer

How Effective Is the Drug Therapy for Addictions?

The answer is: it depends on the addiction. Below is an examination about how effective drugs are alone for treating the most common addictions:

1. Drug addictions

A. Opioids

An estimated 15.3 million people aged 15 to 64 used illicit opioids. Opiate dependence involves addiction to opiate drugs such as heroin, opium and other opioids. Based on a review of scientific studies published in “Advances in Psychiatric Treatment,” methadone maintenance is effective for treating opiate addiction and drugs that are less effective but still helpful are lofexidine and naltrexone. Methadone prevents withdrawal symptoms in those addicted to opiates and more; it helps reduce the use of the drug that caused the addiction, criminality and viral infections (from sharing needles), less risk to get HIV infection as well as improvement in general health and social status.

B. Cannabis

Cannabis is the most common illicit drug used by an estimated 146.2 million users worldwide.

Medications used for cannabis addiction include bupropion (also used for smoking cessation), divalproex, nefazodone, lofexidine, and dronabinol. Dronabiol is the most effective, since it is a synthetic preparation of THC, the key component in cannabis. Used only for 6 days, dronabinol showed significant benefits in reducing cannabis craving, anxiety, misery, chills, self-reported sleep disturbances, anorexia and the weight loss associated with cannabis withdrawal, indicates a 2009 study published in “CNS drugs.”

You May Also Like:How to Identify and Treat Alcohol Abuse
Related Search Topics (Ads):
  • Heroin Addiction Detox
  • Addiction Treatment Centers
  • Drug Addiction Detox
  • Drug Addiction

C. Stimulant drugs

Stimulant drugs are used by 29.6 million people worldwide and in this class of drugs, we have illicit drugs such as amphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy. Common drugs used for this type of addiction include dexamphetamine, bupropion, methylphenidate and modafinil. Unfortunately, a review of scientific literature published in 2013 by Cochrane Database shows no benefit; prescription drugs were not found more effective than placebos for stimulant drug addictions.

D. Cigarette/nicotine addiction

The most effective medications for smoking cessation include nicotine replacement, bupropion, and varenicline.

A Meta-analysis published in 2003 in BMJ of over 100 randomized trials indicates that nicotine replacement therapy approximately double the rates of long-term smoking cessation.

Bupropion SR treatment also showed efficacy in the prevention of relapse to smoking in those patients who have successfully quit, and re-treatment is effective in smokers who start smoking again after a previous course of bupropion SR. This drug also relieves the symptoms of craving and nicotine withdrawal, and decreases the weight gain that often occurs after smoking cessation, indicates a 2002 study featured in “Drugs.”

The newest drug used for smoking cessation is varenicline, and it appears to work even better than bupropion and nicotine replacement when used long-term, as suggested by a 2009 study from “Clinical Therapeutics”.

2. Alcohol addiction

Naltrexone reduces the risk of heavy drinking to 83% compared with placebo, as reported by the authors of a meta-analysis from Cochrane Database (2010). A second therapeutic option would be acamprosate which also decrease the rate of drinking relapse and the duration of abstinence. However, it appears to not work in heaving drinkers.

Disulfiram was commonly prescribed in the past for alcohol addiction. However, current studies are mixed and do not support its efficacy and its side effects lead to treatment non-compliance.

In conclusion: prescription drugs are quite effective for treating alcohol and nicotine addictions. For illicit drugs they are also helpful for marijuana and opiate drugs while those addicted to stimulant drugs doesn’t get much benefit from pharmacotherapy.

Enjoy this article?
Stay up-to-date with all the Addiction news, articles, and updates from your community!
Subscribe Now
Brenda Vanta
Brindusa Vanta (typically goes by Brenda) is an alternative health care doctor, author and medical writer. She has a history of writing for a variety of health-oriented websites and she focuses on nutrition and homeopathy. She received her MD degree from Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine. See all of Brenda's articles
More Articles by Brenda
Resources
  • PubMed.gov (Efficacy of psychostimulant drugs for amphetamine abuse or dependence.)
  • PubMed.gov (Pharmacotherapy for Cannabis Dependence: How Close Are We?)
  • NCBI (Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries. 2nd edition.)
  • Cambridge University Press (What works in drug addiction?)
  • UpToDate (Pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation in adults)
  • BMJ Journals (A meta-analysis of the efficacy of over-the-counter nicotine replacement)
  • PubMed.gov (Clinical efficacy of bupropion in the management of smoking cessation.)
  • PubMed.gov (Varenicline: a first-line treatment option for smoking cessation.)
Print This

We all have a voice,what's your story?

We learn from each other. Share your story to let others with know they’re not alone.

Share Your Story

AddictionNewsletter Sign-up

Stay up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, and updates from your community!

Subscribe Now

Join our private Facebook Group

to ask questions, get answers, and find support from fellow Warriors!

Join the Discussion
Print This
ConnectWithUs
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclaimer
© 2023 NewLifeOutlook™ All rights reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
© 2023 NewLifeOutlook | Addiction