Essay on Pharmacotherapy in Drug Addiction

Certain models and theories regarding addiction have a tremendously valuable impact con society’s reaction toward addiction. There are certain aspects of each theory which are very important in the treatment of addiction. Not all addicts and alcoholics fit into the specific criteria of one theory or model so it is beneficial for Chemical Dependency Counselors to have an in depth understanding of various theories to draw from. Most theories about addiction fail to provide a comprehensive account of chemical abuse, dependence or addiction. There is truth and speculation to every theory. It is important for Chemical Dependency Counselors to continue to research and critique theories because it initiates the creation of new theories. For the

Many people believe the misconception that an addiction is a moral problem and not a disease. To better understand the reasons why an additicition is in fact a disease; I will identify several types of addictions, and the problems associated with them. I will examine reasons why certain people are more susceptible for developing an addiction. Also, I will determine why many addicts deny their problems and many recovery methods addicts use to fight their illness. Researching these issues, will help aid my claim that addiction is a disease.

The rate of death due to prescription drug abuse in the U.S. has escalated 313 percent over the past decade. According to the Congressional Quarterly Transcription’s article "Rep. Joe Pitt Holds a Hearing on Prescription Drug Abuse," opioid prescription drugs were involved in 16,650 overdose-caused deaths in 2010, accounting for more deaths than from overdoses of heroin and cocaine. Prescribed drugs or painkillers sometimes "condemn a patient to lifelong addiction," according to Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This problem not only affects the lives of those who overdose but it affects the communities as well due to the convenience of being able to find these items in drug stores and such.

Some individuals may dislike the term ‘addiction’ in relation to drugs or other substances, particularly as it infers that a person is powerless over their use of a particular drug or in some circumstances, a number of substances. Whilst others maintain it is this powerlessness that is the foundation of diagnosis and treatment – that treatment is not possible without recognition of addiction itself as the ‘problem’ being

Alcohol dependence treatments include naltrexone, acamrosate and disulfiram. Naltrexone inhibits opioid receptors that play a role in the pleasure effect of drinking and craving for alcohol. Acamprosate is believed to have effects on reducing withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, restlessness and depression. This may be appropriate for patients who are severely alcohol dependent. Disulfiram impedes the breakdown of alcohol which results in vexing symptoms like nausea, flushing, and palpitations if the patient consumes alcohol (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009)

Prescription drug abuse is defined as using prescription drugs in a way that is not prescribed by a doctor or using someone else's prescription. People abuse prescription drugs for a variety of reasons (Misuse of Prescription Drugs). Some people abuse them to get high, others keep using to avoid withdrawals from the drug. Whereas stimulants such as adderall are often abused by students to improve academic performance.

understand their clients with addiction problems and motivate them to change. This model is one of the most widely used models within the field of addiction treatment initially developed to describe the process of adopting any healthy behavior. Motivational interviewing shares much in common with the trans-theoretical or Stages of Change Model of behavior change. Although not universally endorsed, the trans-theoretical model holds that at any given time, a person is at a particular stage in relation to behavior change (Harvard Mental Health Letter, July 2008).

Prescription drug abuse is the use of prescribed medications for reasons other than intended by a doctor or medical professional. Prescription drug abuse involves the misuse of any and all drugs to alter the physical or mental status of a person. The misuse of prescription drugs is described as taking excess amounts, more frequently, or for much longer than originally prescribed.

Currently, prescription drug addiction is the most serious problem among all the other drug addictions that exists. Several researches have shown us that, addiction to any drug whether legal or ill-legal, is a brain disease which can be treated efficiently. But similar kind of treatment is not apt for all the individuals who suffer from prescription drug addiction. Prescription drug addiction is not at all different from addiction to some other substances or from alcoholism. However, for medical reasons, no one is prescribed to take cocaine or alcohol.

Pharmacotherapy is a big part in managing the disease of alcoholism. Disulfiram (Antabuse) is a common drug given to those who ingest alcohol or often slip from sobriety during treatment. Disulfiram is a drug that is used as a deterrent to drinking to individuals who abuse alcohol. If someone drinks while using disulfiram, it results in major discomfort within five to ten minutes of ingestion of alcohol. Symptoms include head and neck throbbing, respiratory difficulty, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. Symptoms also include hyperventilation, tachycardia, hypotension, weakness, blurred vision and confusion. Again, disulfiram is not a cure for alcoholism. It provides an external measure of control for the client who desires alcohol (Townsend, 2015).

A common theme among many individuals is addiction. Addiction can disrupt an individual’s life, without the individual understanding why these changes in their life have occurred. Most individuals wants to change their behavior, but do not know how and what steps they must take to make the necessary changes to help them overcome their addictions. Individuals enter therapy, thinking the therapist will be focusing on their underlying issues, which leads them to use or abuse alcohol and drugs, instead of the therapist focusing on their usage of alcohol and drugs. Individuals are always searching for treatment that will be beneficial to them.

It commonly believed that over time, the effects of drug related cues increases the efficacy of relapse. To this end, the researchers are looking to key brain chemicals to aid in the therapeutic treatment of drug addiction. A main concern is how can drug-related cues be counteracted or reduced in patients prone to relapse. In one study, investigators found that “drug use and relapse involves learned associations between drug-associated discrete and contextual cues and drug taking…” (Bossert, Marchant, Calu, & Shaham, 2013). This is further corroborated by data suggesting with repeated drug use, an attentional bias occurs (Jasinska, Stein, Kaiser, Naumer, & Yalachkov, 2014). As a result, drug cues take over perceptual, cognitive and memory processes. This produces a priming effect, essentially putting the addict in a state of “drug-seeking” readiness. We predict that when presented with certain contextual cues associated with drug use, they will trigger a drug-seeking response in drug addicted individuals when compared to the control. We also theorize that time of day will have an effect on the intensity of the drug-seeking response.

Physicians have several options for treating alcohol use disorders. Behavioral therapy can help alcoholics recognize and avoid high-risk situations, and referral to programs that provide peer support, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, can increase a person’s chance of recovery. Therapists can also prescribe medications that decrease the appeal of alcohol. Studies show disulfiram, acamprosate and naltrexone help most people abstain from alcohol. Disulfiram causes unpleasant side effects such as sweating, nausea, headache, vomiting and chest pain when patients consume alcohol. The severity of the effects differs among patients, and is correlated with the amount of alcohol consumed. Naltrexone inhibits euphoric effects or feelings of intoxication

These treatments could be given on out-patient basis, in-patient basis or on short-term or long-term residential basis. There are variety of professionals are giving service for drug addiction treatment. These professional are physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, rehab counselors, social workers, nurses, etc..

Drug and alcohol addiction is a very serious and widespread problem in America, and across the globe. Drug addiction is a constant craving, seeking, and using of a substance, despite the negative consequences it may have on the addict or those around them. When drug use becomes more frequent, it is considered drug abuse. Once an individual’s drug abuse is can no longer be controlled, and they are using the drug to get through everyday life, it beomes an addiction. A person on drugs has an altered way of thinking, behaving, and perceiving. There are treatment facilities all over the world dedicated to help those suffering with drug addictions. All