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Prescription Treatment for Drug Abuse

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, prescription medications can be effective in treating drug abuse. They are especially useful in treating the painful withdrawal associated with drug abuse and in preventing relapses. Currently, the only medications available for drug abuse are designed for opiate addiction.

  1. Detoxification

    • Detoxification is the process of ridding the body of the drug it has become dependent on. It is the first step in the treatment process and often involves the use of medications. Patients who take medications but do not undergo further treatment may display the same pattern as a drug abuser who received no treatment.

    Methadone

    • Methadone is a synthetic opioid. By mimicking the effects of opiates such as morphine and heroin, methadone blocks withdrawal symptoms and alleviates cravings.

    Buprenorphine

    • Chemically similar to methadone, buprenorphine suppresses opiate withdrawal symptoms and eases cravings.

    Naltrexone

    • Naltrexone helps the user to stop using drugs and is effective only while he is using it. It does not prevent or alleviate withdrawal symptoms. It should not be taken if he recently ceased using opioids and is displaying withdrawal symptoms, only after he has been detoxified.

    Effectiveness

    • Per NIDA, medications are most effective when coupled with behavioral therapy, which helps the user to change his attitudes and actions toward drug abuse and improve his lifestyle.

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