Reducing Addiction
DRUG TREATMENTS
Addictive substances affect their users in a wide variety of ways on a biochemical level. Therefore, the
treatments used to treat these addictions must be tailored to specifically counter the idiosyncratic
effects of the addictive substances.
Reducing addictions is not simply about the cessation of taking the drug – this can result in the
delirium tremens.
Drug therapy aims to slowly wean people off their addicted substances at a controlled pace. There are
three main types of drug therapy in treating addiction:
● Aversives – Aim to produce unpleasant sensations (vomiting) when the drug (called an
‘emetic) is taken. Usually, the aversive drug is taken alongside the addicted drug to purposely
encourage the individual to vomit. Upon doing so several times, it is theorised that the
vomiting will be paired with the alcohol/drug, which will encourage the user to stop.
● Antagonists – These bind to receptor sites and block them so the drug cannot be as effective,
as it is not being passed on to the next neuron. This works on the concept of preventing the
addicted drug from moving through different neurons.
● Agonists – Drug substitutes, like methadone. They bind to neuron receptors and activate
them, much like the addicted drug. But the key difference is that agonists are safer, more
regulated and not contaminated. Slowly, under supervision of clinics, users can wean
themselves off of the substance.
SMOKING DRUG TREATMENTS
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) aims to deliver the drug without the other harmful chemicals
found in cigarettes.
Gum, inhalers or patches are the common methods used to deliver the nicotine.
The patches still deliver the nicotine and result in dopamine increases in the VTA and Nucleus
Accumbens. With the patches being much healthier, users can manage their withdrawal at their own
pace.
DRUG TREATMENTS EVALUATIONS
Research Support - in a widespread review of research Stead et al (2012) reviewed 150 journals and
found that all NRT’s are more effective than placebo and have no treatment options. Up to 70% more
likely to be abstaining from smoking after 6 months.
Side Effects - any drug therapy can result in side effects, and NRT’s are no different. Side effects
include dizziness, sleep disturbance and headaches.
Removal of ‘Criminal’ Stigma - finding that drugs treat addictions backs up the argument that the issue
is one of illness rather than a criminal one. There is an emerging view that we need to treat
addictions as an illness and not something to be punished.
AVERSION THERAPY - BEHAVIOURAL TREATMENTS
Works on the principle of ‘what can be learnt can be unlearnt’. In this case, this process is done
through counterconditioning. Instead of the drug being associated with a pleasant feeling, it is slowly
conditioned to be associated with a universally unpleasant sensation (e.g. vomiting).
Alcohol - The user takes the emetic, waits about 10 minutes, drinks alcohol and is subsequently sick.
Treatments continue several times until an association may be made.
Another approach is for the user to take the drug Antabuse, which results in immediately being sick
upon the ingestion of alcohol as it adapts the way alcohol is broken down in the body. This instant
‘punishment’ improves the contiguity of the treatment, giving an immediate hangover.
DRUG TREATMENTS
Addictive substances affect their users in a wide variety of ways on a biochemical level. Therefore, the
treatments used to treat these addictions must be tailored to specifically counter the idiosyncratic
effects of the addictive substances.
Reducing addictions is not simply about the cessation of taking the drug – this can result in the
delirium tremens.
Drug therapy aims to slowly wean people off their addicted substances at a controlled pace. There are
three main types of drug therapy in treating addiction:
● Aversives – Aim to produce unpleasant sensations (vomiting) when the drug (called an
‘emetic) is taken. Usually, the aversive drug is taken alongside the addicted drug to purposely
encourage the individual to vomit. Upon doing so several times, it is theorised that the
vomiting will be paired with the alcohol/drug, which will encourage the user to stop.
● Antagonists – These bind to receptor sites and block them so the drug cannot be as effective,
as it is not being passed on to the next neuron. This works on the concept of preventing the
addicted drug from moving through different neurons.
● Agonists – Drug substitutes, like methadone. They bind to neuron receptors and activate
them, much like the addicted drug. But the key difference is that agonists are safer, more
regulated and not contaminated. Slowly, under supervision of clinics, users can wean
themselves off of the substance.
SMOKING DRUG TREATMENTS
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) aims to deliver the drug without the other harmful chemicals
found in cigarettes.
Gum, inhalers or patches are the common methods used to deliver the nicotine.
The patches still deliver the nicotine and result in dopamine increases in the VTA and Nucleus
Accumbens. With the patches being much healthier, users can manage their withdrawal at their own
pace.
DRUG TREATMENTS EVALUATIONS
Research Support - in a widespread review of research Stead et al (2012) reviewed 150 journals and
found that all NRT’s are more effective than placebo and have no treatment options. Up to 70% more
likely to be abstaining from smoking after 6 months.
Side Effects - any drug therapy can result in side effects, and NRT’s are no different. Side effects
include dizziness, sleep disturbance and headaches.
Removal of ‘Criminal’ Stigma - finding that drugs treat addictions backs up the argument that the issue
is one of illness rather than a criminal one. There is an emerging view that we need to treat
addictions as an illness and not something to be punished.
AVERSION THERAPY - BEHAVIOURAL TREATMENTS
Works on the principle of ‘what can be learnt can be unlearnt’. In this case, this process is done
through counterconditioning. Instead of the drug being associated with a pleasant feeling, it is slowly
conditioned to be associated with a universally unpleasant sensation (e.g. vomiting).
Alcohol - The user takes the emetic, waits about 10 minutes, drinks alcohol and is subsequently sick.
Treatments continue several times until an association may be made.
Another approach is for the user to take the drug Antabuse, which results in immediately being sick
upon the ingestion of alcohol as it adapts the way alcohol is broken down in the body. This instant
‘punishment’ improves the contiguity of the treatment, giving an immediate hangover.
