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Review

Pharmacological treatments for drug misuse and dependence

(Consultant in Addiction Psychiatry) , (Senior Clinical Lecturer in Addiction Psychiatry) (Consultant in Addiction Psychiatry) (Senior Clinical Lecturer in Addiction Psychiatry) (Consultant in Addiction Psychiatry) , (Senior Clinical Research Fellow) (Specialty Doctor in the Addictions) (Senior Clinical Research Fellow) (Specialty Doctor in the Addictions) & (Professor, Head of Department)
Pages 325-333 | Published online: 21 Nov 2014
 

Abstract

Introduction: Substance misuse disorder (DSM-5) remains a major health challenge. Harm reduction is the initial treatment goal, by reducing or eliminating non-prescribed drug use. Eventual abstinence is the ultimate harm reduction goal. However the scope for evidence-based pharmacological interventions remains limited.

Areas covered: The paper takes a pragmatic clinical approach to existing and developing pharmacotherapies for substance misuse. Dependence may be characterised as a cycle with three stages: binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect and preoccupation/anticipation (craving). Each of these stages may be the focus of pharmacotherapeutic intervention, and current literature is discussed which is of relevance to the practising clinician. Dependence on opiates, stimulants, cannabis and prescribed medications including benzodiazepines and the current treatments are addressed.

Expert opinion: Possible pharmacotherapies of the future include anti-craving medications, which are still incompletely understood. Other developments include ultra-long-acting formulations, some of which have already been produced and are being studied or are in early clinical practice. A completely new line of investigation has been drug ‘vaccines’, whereby the body is stimulated to produce antibodies to, for example, cocaine and nicotine. Despite a number of evidence-based strategies for the treatment of substance misuse disorder, the range of licensed pharmacological treatment choices nevertheless remains narrow.

Declaration of interest

J Strang has received project grant support and/or honoraria and/or consultancy payments from Department of Health, NTA (National Treatment Agency), PHE (Public Health England), Home Office, and NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), and has worked with WHO (World Health Organisation) and with UNODC (United Nations Office for Drug Control) and other international government agencies. J Strang and his institution have also received research grant support and/or payment in the form of honoraria, consultancy payments and/or travelling and/or accommodation and/or conference expenses from various pharmaceutical companies who produce, or have considered producing, medicines for use in the addiction treatment field, including (past 3 years) Viropharma (Auralis), Martindale (Catalent), Reckitt-Benckiser, Schering-Plough, Lundbeck, UCB, Napp, MundiPharma, Alkermes and also discussions with Lightlake, Lanacher, Teva, Fidelity International and Rusan/iGen. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organisation or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Notes

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