drug therapy for addiction

Question 1

what is it?

Answer 1

medication to help detoxification and ease withdrawal symptoms.

Question 2

drug example that reduced cravings-

Answer 2

methadone
used for heroin addicts
effect on brain is similar to heroin but less dangerous

Question 3

behavioural addiction drug therapy

Answer 3

naltrexone
severe gambling addictions
helps reduce cravings
reduce risk of relapse

Question 4

strengths

Answer 4

helps patients access other forms of treatment- controls withdrawal symptoms- can engage

supporting research
suck won kim
75% of gambling addicts treated with naltrexone show improvements compared to 24% placebo

Question 5

weaknesses

Answer 5

patient could become dependant on medication
person already addicted to a substance+another drug=may mean they become addicted to meds-possible relapse

mixed evidence-
krystal et al found naltrexone no better that placebo at decreasing rate of relapse in alcoholics.