Addiction – Is medication The Apt Solution?

Addiction and rehabilitation have a myriad of bends and turns, often stirring up strong emotions. Many of us have pals or kin members that have grappled with addictions; hence this topic does strike a chord with many of us. Several individuals view addiction as a matter of morals or fundamental decency – many being of the view point that who are such individuals to be wreaking mayhem in our day-to-day lives?

The latest anti-addiction medication naltrexone – a prescription drug could be a major boon in the world of rehabilitation.

A federally backed study dubbed as COMBINE contrasted cognitive behavioural therapy used solely against using therapy alongside naltrexone. Patients that received both were more prone to staying sober and indulged in lesser drinking even when they did rebound to their old ways.

A study headed by Dr. Bankole Johnson from the University of Virginia showed that topiramate (Topamax) – previously used for treatment of epilepsy and migraine shrunk the number of days during which alcoholics indulged in binge drinking, by twenty-five percent more as compared to those alcoholics that simply underwent therapy.

The findings emphasize that at a certain level addiction is an ailment affecting the brain and not merely a breakdown of resolve. Naltrexone and topiramate have each somewhat varying mechanism; however both appear to thwart the discharge of brain chemicals which are associated with pleasure and exhilaration. Different from previous drugs employed earlier for treating alcoholics, both are not habit-forming or carry major side effects. It does emerge that both of these medications would provide better results in particular subgroups – topiramate working best for recurring relapsers and naltrexone for those individuals having a strong family past of alcoholism.

Scores of individuals were curious to discern why such drugs are not been extensively known. Though this is not the solution yet medications such as naltrexone or topiramate fail to fit the present forms of treatment for addicts for varying reasons.

The problem with high-end rehab clinics is palpable: Most individuals and insurers would hesitate to shell out tens of thousands of dollars on a monthly basis, when they can be staying at home, visiting their family doctor and picking up 30-day prescriptions from the pharmacist. Though, beyond a doubt, this is not that easy and straightforward; even the leading supporters of medications would vouch for the effectiveness of inpatient treatment for addicts, and majority of the inpatient clinics do at times give prescription of such drugs. Yet, the business perspective could not be ignored.

Less apparent yet possibly larger is the impact medicines can have on outpatient treatment as several undergo treatment in small-scaled community centers or clinics as compared to doing it in plush, multi-star hospitals. Often many listen to suggestions like just visit Mr. X or try the twelve-step programme. In all these scenarios several counsellors have poor to no medical instruction. At times, they simply have the acumen they gained via personal experience as addicts.

When many consider outpatient treatments less costly as compared to doing a month in rehab, it is still considerably costlier than appointing laymen counsellors and arranging XYZ gatherings.

Undeniably, the skirmish over the preeminent treatment for addicts has a major element of perspective – is it a brain sickness or a character fault?

There are drug rehab programs that actually incorporate the use of medications in their addiction treatment.

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