The perspective that addiction is a disease has seen the use of drugs in the treatment of substance addiction. Although there has been extensive use of counseling in modern addiction treatment strategies, according to (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009) those individuals who use drug in addition to counseling experience better rates of recovery. However, there are pros and cons that are associated with the use of Pharmacotherapies in treatment of addiction. The following are the major benefits and drawbacks of pharmacotherapy, especially the use methadone maintenance for opiate addicts.
The use of methadone maintenance for opiate addicts can enhance their recovery from heroin addiction if they stick to the medical prescriptions. Most addicts experience relapse, due to the graving and thus the use of methadone maintenance for opiate addicts helps in replacing the graving and thus treating the withdrawal effects and helping in effective addiction treatment. According to (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009, p. 3) the use of methadone for opiate addicts is good in stabilizing their lives and helping them to reduce the illicit drug use.
However, (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009) points that there are dangers associated in employing pharmacotherapy in the treatment of opiate addicts. The author points that, for instance, methadone should be used under strict prescription or in controlled conditions. The use of methadone offers the danger of abuse especially from patients who are very impulsive in their self-care habits. It is worth noting that most of the cocaine abusers have weak discipline and offering a substitute drug for cocaine is likely to expose them to the misuse of a drug that is supposed to save them.
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