Reducing Addiction: Drug Therapy

Question 1

What are the 3 basic types of dug treatments?

Answer 1

1. Aversives - produce unpleasant consequences to replace pleasant associations with unpleasant
2. Agonists - drug substitutes - gradual withdrawal from substance
3. Antagonists - block neural receptors to prevent addictive substance having usual effect

Question 2

What are the 2 treatments for nicotine addiction?

Answer 2

1. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
2. Varenicline & Bupropion

Question 3

Explain Nicotine replacement therapy.

Answer 3

• Nicotine patches, spray, gum
• Agonist - gradually releases nicotine into bloodstream at lower levels without harmful chemicals
• Stimulates nicotine receptors, causing dopamine release as it normally would
• Overtime, reduced in strength to gradually withdraw over 2-3 months

Question 4

Explain the medications Varenicline (champix) & Bupropion (zyban).

Answer 4

• Varenicline - partial agonist, attaches to nicotine receptors to get continual release of dopamine, blocks nicotine if you do have cigarette
• Bupropion - antidepressant, inhibits reuptake of dopamine

Question 5

What are the 2 treatments for gambling addiction?

Answer 5

1. Opioid antagonists
2. Antidepressants

Question 6

Explain how opioid antagonists like Naltrexone work.

Answer 6

• Enhance release of GABA
• This reduces release of dopamine so they lose pleasure in gambling activity
• Naltrexone was found effective in reducing intensity of gambling urges

Question 7

Explain how antidepressants like SSRIs work.

Answer 7

• Reduce depression & anxiety - many gamblers report gambling as response to stressors
• Low levels of serotonin found in people with impaired impulse control like gamblers - SSRIs increase serotonin & reduce impulsivity