Anti-Addiction Medications

Types of Pharmacotherapy

Scientific research has led to the development of several highly-advanced medicines that have been proven effective in dozens of clinical studies for the treatment of addiction illness. They provide hope to those who have struggled and relapsed by: 

• Blocking the "high" or euphoria from the substance
• Decreasing the physical effects of addiction withdrawal
• Decreasing cravings for the addictive substance
• Balancing the brain’s biochemistry effected by alcohol and/or drug use

Listed below are various types of FDA-approved pharmacotherapy medications used to treat substance addiction.
 

Alcohol Addiction

• Disulfiram (Antabuse®) – oral medication that produces an unpleasant reaction when a person drinks even a little amount of alcohol.
• Acamprosate (Campral®) – oral medication that reduces feelings of cravings and overall desire to drink alcohol.
• Naltrexone (Vivitrol® and Revia®) – Vivitrol is a time-released injection which lasts for 30 days and prevents addicts from getting drunk or feeling a “high” or euphoria from alcohol during that time. It also reduces cravings by up to 90 percent and reduces the severity of a relapse. Clinical trial results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed Vivitrol becoming effective as early as the second day of usage, and reducing the amount of drinks a person has per month by 90 percent (O'Malley et al. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2007). Revia is the oral form of naltrexone that can also be effective for the daily management of alcohol dependence.

Opioid – Prescription Pain Medicine Addiction

• Suboxone® and Subutex® – oral medication used for opiate withdrawal stabilization and ongoing treatment for narcotic addictions, including heroin and prescription pain medications.
• Naltrexone (Revia®): is an oral medication that completely blocks the opiate receptor to prevent the activity of the opiate in the body.

When included in as part of an individualized, comprehensive treatment plan, pharmacotherapy medications are a safe and an effective treatment option for those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. Ask your doctor if any of the above anti-addiction medications may be right for you. Lab work may be required prior to starting any new medication treatment.

A comprehensive approach to treating addiction is essential for lifelong sobriety. Patients need behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy, 12–Step involvement, family therapy, psychiatric treatment when needed, and a wellness and nutrition approach to help them recover from drug and alcohol addiction.

Enterhealth creates individualized alcohol addiction treatment and drug addiction rehabilitation plans because we know your unique situation calls for an effective one-of-a-kind solution. 

Contact Enterhealth today at 800.388.4601 to schedule an admission or email us at info@enterhealth.com for more information.