New Anti-Addiction Drug
The development of anti-addition drugs may have the potential to revolutionize the world of rehab. Dr. Mark Willenbring, who oversees scientific research at the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, says alcoholism has reached a point similar to one depression reached 30 years ago -- when the development of Prozac and other antidepressants took mental health care out of the asylum and put it in homes and doctors' offices. Now a pill called naltrexone may hold the key to curing alcoholics.
Among the findings that are both exciting and promising:
• A study led by Dr. Bankole Johnson of the University of Virginia found that topiramate (Topamax) -- already used to treat epilepsy and migraines -- reduced the number of days on which alcoholics drank heavily, by 25 percent more than among alcoholics who got just therapy.
• A federally funded study known as COMBINE compared cognitive-behavioral therapy alone with therapy along with naltrexone. Patients receiving both were more likely to stay abstinent and drank less if they did relapse.
These findings highlight what's become increasingly clear: Addiction is a brain disease, not just a failure of willpower. Naltrexone and topiramate have slightly different mechanisms, but both seem to block the release of brain chemicals that are linked to pleasure and excitement. Unlike earlier drugs used to treat alcoholics, neither is addictive or carries significant side effects. It does appear that each might work better in certain subgroups -- topiramate for repeat relapsers, and naltrexone in people with a strong family history of alcoholism.
Despite studies showing effectiveness, established rehab programs have been slow to adopt the use of this medication. One rehab clinic argues that alcoholism is a multifaceted disease, that in addition to being a disease of the brain, there is also a spiritual and behavioral component to it. Many rehab clinics are hesitant of the anti-addiction drug because they believe that having a network of support and recovery is what really makes the difference. Researchers at the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse are frustrated that only one addict in 10 has even heard about medication options. But as the medication slowly creeps into mainstream therapy, it may be the answer from many struggling alcoholics.
I found this article on CNN health, published on April 15, 2009
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/15/addiction.cold.turkey.pill/index.html
Among the findings that are both exciting and promising:
• A study led by Dr. Bankole Johnson of the University of Virginia found that topiramate (Topamax) -- already used to treat epilepsy and migraines -- reduced the number of days on which alcoholics drank heavily, by 25 percent more than among alcoholics who got just therapy.
• A federally funded study known as COMBINE compared cognitive-behavioral therapy alone with therapy along with naltrexone. Patients receiving both were more likely to stay abstinent and drank less if they did relapse.
These findings highlight what's become increasingly clear: Addiction is a brain disease, not just a failure of willpower. Naltrexone and topiramate have slightly different mechanisms, but both seem to block the release of brain chemicals that are linked to pleasure and excitement. Unlike earlier drugs used to treat alcoholics, neither is addictive or carries significant side effects. It does appear that each might work better in certain subgroups -- topiramate for repeat relapsers, and naltrexone in people with a strong family history of alcoholism.
Despite studies showing effectiveness, established rehab programs have been slow to adopt the use of this medication. One rehab clinic argues that alcoholism is a multifaceted disease, that in addition to being a disease of the brain, there is also a spiritual and behavioral component to it. Many rehab clinics are hesitant of the anti-addiction drug because they believe that having a network of support and recovery is what really makes the difference. Researchers at the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse are frustrated that only one addict in 10 has even heard about medication options. But as the medication slowly creeps into mainstream therapy, it may be the answer from many struggling alcoholics.
I found this article on CNN health, published on April 15, 2009
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/15/addiction.cold.turkey.pill/index.html
posted by amanda hayley at 9:07 AM
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