Medications often used in treatment
Drug treatment today is typically a combination of behavioral therapies and exploration of underlying issues, often paired with medications to help keep clients engaged in treatment, and reduce the likelihood that cravings result in relapse.
Some of the medications most commonly used in treatment include:
- Methadone – used for opiate addiction, reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes is prescribed for non-addicts by doctors for pain management.
- Buprenorphine – an emerging medication that like methadone is used in the treatment of opiate addiciton (may also be known as suboxone)
- Acamprosate – used to reduce cravings in people with alcoholism (also known as Campral)
- Antabuse – causes adverse reactions to alcohol. Is used as a preventive measure for people with alcoholism.
- Naltrexone – (aka reVia or Depade) is used in the management of opiate and alcohol addiction.
- Neurontin – used to help people struggling with insomnia in early recovery
- Klonidine/Klonopin – used to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings
- Baclofen – used to reduce cravings in cocaine abusers
Other medications are used to help people deal with the sleep disturbances that come with early withdrawal, depression, anxiety and other issues.
