Medications for substance use disorders

Soc Work Public Health. 2013;28(3-4):264-78. doi: 10.1080/19371918.2013.759031.

Abstract

In this article, the authors briefly review the pharmacotherapeutic agents that are currently available for the treatment of substance use disorders. Nicotine replacement therapies are most effective for tobacco cessation. Naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are effective for reducing alcohol use. The most effective pharmacotherapies for opiate use disorders are agonist therapies, including methadone and buprenorphine. The authors also examine recent advances in medication development for other substance use disorders such as stimulant addiction. The role of medication adherence and behavioral treatments and the integration of behavioral and pharmacotherapeutic interventions are also discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Deterrents / therapeutic use*
  • Alcoholism / drug therapy*
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Behavior Therapy
  • Behavior, Addictive / drug therapy
  • Buprenorphine / therapeutic use
  • Disulfiram / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Naltrexone / therapeutic use
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / complications
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications
  • Substance-Related Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / complications
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Alcohol Deterrents
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Buprenorphine
  • Naltrexone
  • Disulfiram