Use of pharmacological interventions in substance abuse treatment - Research Paper Example

Substance abuse is the misuse of drugs and alcohol. This is a common problem not only in the US, but also in many other parts of the world. In the past, drug addiction was a serious problem that was commonly viewed as a flaw in morality.However, these perceptions have changed over the years and now it is widely understood that substance addiction is a disease that affects the brain (Cohen, Young and McChargue, 2009). This knowledge has made it possible for scientists to come up with different effective treatment options for substance abuse patients.

Pharmacological interventions have gained popularity in many healthcare facilities as some of the most effective steps in treating drug and alcohol addictions. Pharmacological interventions in the course of substance abuse treatment involve the use of clinical drugs to help people with drug and alcohol related problems to get over them National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1999). The use of pharmacological interventions is quite effective in handling exposure to trigger cues for drug taking and drug carving.

Pharmacological interventions have been widely used in the treatment of withdrawal symptoms (Cohen, Young and McChargue, 2009). These interventions normally reduce these symptoms, thus making it easier for the patient to get over his or her addiction quickly enough. Pharmacological intervention programs often involve the use of different types of drugs whose effects can minimize the agony caused by withdrawal symptoms. . The lack of dopamine lessens cravings for opiates and alcohol. Buprenorphine also works by blocking the effects of opiates on the body system.

It is considerd to be a better option than most pharmacological intervention drugs since it has somewhat mild effects on withdrawal National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1999). Acamprosate is used in the intervention of alcohol addiction. The drug lowers irritability that is normally present during the early days or weeks of recovery. It reduces the pleasurable feeling that one normally craves due to alcohol addiction. It stabilizes the neurotransmitter activities in the brain. Methadone and LAAM are some of the most commonly used phamarcological intervention drugs in health facilities today.

They are effective in reducing the withdrawal symptoms in opiate addicts. They have longer lasting effects than most intervention drugs. Disulfiram is an alcohol abuse intervention drug. Oxycodone drugs are also widely used for intervention and treatment of opioid dependence. These two drugs wok by inducing unpleasant feelings when one drinks, thereby reducing cravings (Golan, 2008). Methadone is the preferred pharmacological intervention drug for opiate addiction due to its low levels of addiction risk when compared to other drugs.

The drug affects the same organs affected by drugs such as morphine and heroin; however, it has milder effects. When a patient takes a specific dose of methadone, his body reacts like he has taken alcohol, but the craving is greatly diminished. This is how a patient using methadone during intervention is able to avoid painful withdrawal symptoms. bupropion and varenicline are used in the intervention of tobacco addiction National Institute on Drug