The occurrence of a dual diagnosis of mental health problems and addiction will require additional pharmacological intervention beyond the scope of description within this article, and the as follows drugs are the drugs most commonly used to treat a single diagnosis of addiction or dependency.
Although some homeopathic or philosophical interpretations do not allow for the use of pharmacological interventions during drug treatment, the legacy of addiction carries with it acute physical changes within the body and brain, and appropriate medication during drug treatment eases the pains of withdrawal and increases the safety of the process. Medications in drug treatment can also increase mental ability and outlook for a responsive and beneficial participation in drug treatment and cognitive programming, and reduce the physical and psychological cravings that can lead back to temptation during short to medium term recovery.
Much research is underway to increase the efficacy of medications in drug treatment, and there are some current and very promising studies of new medications that have real promise to better the drug treatment experience for recovering addicts.
Medications in drug treatment have to be used with an awareness of the complex interactions of the legacies of abuse with the potential side effects of the medications, but when properly and appropriately prescribed they can reduce the pains of withdrawal, increase the psychological outlook of the recovering addict throughout treatment, and decrease the experienced cravings to relapse after the completion of intensive treatment
Medications have a valid place within any drug treatment program.
page last update Aug 05, 2010
