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The patients were asked what drug had been discontinued, and if they knew the reason (diagnosis) why this drug had been instituted originally. Other questions addressed if the physician had explained to them why the drug was to be withdrawn, and if the medication was to be stepped down or discontinued abruptly. Furthermore, they reported if a new appointment for follow-up had been scheduled, and whether they were satisfied or not with the decision to withdraw sober house the drug. Drug prescribing occurs in ~60% of all contacts between GPs and patients.1 As major drug prescribers, GPs also have a particular responsibility for discontinuing unnecessary drug therapy. The aim of the present study was to measure the extent to which patients and physicians agree upon information communicated in a consultation when a drug is withdrawn. Cocaine is a stimulant drug that interacts with brain chemistry, creating a flood of dopamine.
The risk of substance use increases greatly during times of stress and change. For an adult, a divorce, loss of a job or death of a loved one may increase the risk of substance use. For a teenager, moving, family divorce or changing schools can increase their risk. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a person must have at least two signs in the symptoms section over 12 months to be diagnosed with substance use disorder. ACEs are strongly related to the development of a wide range of health problems throughout a person’s lifespan, including SUD. The more ACEs a child experiences, the more at risk they are for developing SUD at some point in their life.
What is drug therapy used for in psychology?
Depending on the severity, withdrawal is sometimes enough for a person to retake the drug, as the symptoms are pretty unpleasant. If a person is addicted to alcohol and without it, they have shaky hands, fevers, nausea and vomiting, it is understandable that they would want to avoid these symptoms. Niederhofer et al. (2021) investigated the efficacy and long-term treatment results of cyanamide use in alcoholism, using a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. They had 26 participants who were randomly allocated to cyanamide treatment or a placebo for 90 days.
- Effects or reactions to a substance that are opposite to the substance’s normal expected effect or outcome (e.g., feeling pain from a pain relief medication).
- Switching from one compound to another for the same indication was not to be included in the survey.
- None of the treatments for addictive disorders work for every person.
- Alcohol-related liver disease can have life-threatening complications.
An injection of a medication that is intended to gradually disperse its therapeutic contents into the human body over a number of weeks. In the case of substance use disorders (e.g., opioid or alcohol use disorder), this can reduce problems with medication adherence as medications are more typically taken on a daily schedule and orally. Consequently, depot injections (e.g., naltrexone or buprenorphine) can extend the therapeutic potential of medications where compliance is a concern. Some of the GPs who declined to participate in this study, or who were not able to find suitable patients, stated that they hardly ever discontinued long-term drug treatment in their patients.
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These medications relieve the withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings that cause chemical imbalances in the body. Medications used are evidence-based treatment options and do not just substitute one drug for another. Treatment options for addiction depend on several factors, including the type of addictive disorder, the length and severity of use, and its effects on the individual.