Drug Addiction Medication May Erase Drug Cravings
Drug Addiction Treatment
For the first time, researchers have isolated a specific chemical that inhibits proteins necessary in the formation and recall of memories. It’s great news for the millions of people trying to get their lives back under control after struggling with an addiction to cocaine.
The Research on Reducing Drug Addiction with Medication
Extensive models with rats utilized cocaine as a reward for certain behaviors. When the rats pushed down on a lever, a small amount of the drug was dispensed. The more they pushed, the more the drug was given. After a few weeks of withdrawal (simulating detox and rehab), some of the rats were injected with the medication. Out of curiosity, they continued to push on the lever, but when nothing came out, they eventually lost interest. The rats who had not been given the medication continued to push the lever seeking the same reward stimulus as they did before withdrawal.
Exciting Breakthrough for Drug Assisted Therapies
While there are drugs available that perform somewhat similarly, there are no FDA approved drugs for the treatment of cocaine addiction. Clients must undergo an intense period of detox supervised by a medical professional then immersion in residential treatment with a focus on cognitive-behavioral therapies and desensitization to personal triggers. Not surprisingly, relapse is relatively common with a drug as addictive as cocaine. It’s a tough road to try to think yourself well.
The Future of Drug Assisted Cocaine Rehab
Perhaps someday soon, your family doctor or psychiatrist will be able to write a prescription that helps erase the stimulus circuits carved out by drug addiction. While it’s not a cure, it’s certainly an added advantage. Drug therapies shouldn’t be a replacement for counseling, though, because it’s important to understand the underlying reasons for your addiction so you can take control of your actions rather than allowing your actions to control you. It’s also possible that without psychotherapy you might find yourself following the same road with other, more dangerous substances.
What’s worked best so far for you – rehab, medication, a combination or something else entirely?
Tags: Cocaine Addiction, cocaine addiction treatment, Drug Addiction Treatment, drug-rehab
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