Should we use drugs to treat drug addiction
With an increasing number of adults facing drug addiction (289,215 adults contacted drug
and alcohol services), drug misuse is becoming a major concern in modern day society.
The primary goal of drug replacement therapy is to help individuals manage withdrawal
symptoms, reduce cravings, and support their recovery. An example of such drugs is
Buprenorphine which is a partial agonist that binds to the same opioid receptors that heroin
might do. It reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same
intense euphoria. Buprenorphine has a ceiling effect, which means that after a certain dose,
increasing the amount of the drug does not lead to a proportional increase in its effects. This
ceiling effect makes Buprenorphine safer than full opioid agonists, as it reduces the risk of
overdose.
One strength of DRT is that successful treatment can have positive impact on the individual
but also on wider society. As well as the improving mental and physical health of victims,
repairing relations with family and improve employment, treatment can have a wider
impact on society. Injection drug usage contributes to infectious diseases such as HIV and
hepatitis, therefore treatment could mitigate public health risks. In addition, Children of
individuals with substance use disorders are at a higher risk of developing similar problems.
Breaking the cycle of addiction through treatment can positively impact future generations.
Because DRT is a cheapest and easier to administer form of treatment the public/individual
can be protected from the negative consequences of drug addiction sooner. Therefore, DRT
can be used to protect the individual and the public.
One weakness of using Drug replacement therapy is that it relies on the patient to be
proactive to take their medication. Taking medication regularly can be an issue for ordinary
people but it is escalated as an addict. The patient must want to start a change in their life
and be motivated to change their habits, this may not be the case for addicts that are forced
to start drug treatment. Furthermore, drug addicts may suffer from memory issues because
of their addiction. Heroin use can cause inflammation in the brain and can cause Alzheimer’s
whilst cannabis may target the hippocampus damaging memory. Therefore, drug
replacement therapy may not be suitable for patients with more severe addiction. This is a
huge limitation as drug replacement therapy as it is completely ineffective for patients who
may struggle to take medication.
On the other hand, a strength of DRT is that it can be used in combination with other
treatments to form a holistic approach to patients. Whilst it is argued the DRT does not
address underlying psychological and social issues faced by the patient, it can be combined
with different forms of therapies to aid the patient through their journey. Psychotherapy is
commonly used in addition to ‘substitute prescribing’ to motivate participants and create
coping strategies for the future. By providing a stable and controlled level of medication,
With an increasing number of adults facing drug addiction (289,215 adults contacted drug
and alcohol services), drug misuse is becoming a major concern in modern day society.
The primary goal of drug replacement therapy is to help individuals manage withdrawal
symptoms, reduce cravings, and support their recovery. An example of such drugs is
Buprenorphine which is a partial agonist that binds to the same opioid receptors that heroin
might do. It reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same
intense euphoria. Buprenorphine has a ceiling effect, which means that after a certain dose,
increasing the amount of the drug does not lead to a proportional increase in its effects. This
ceiling effect makes Buprenorphine safer than full opioid agonists, as it reduces the risk of
overdose.
One strength of DRT is that successful treatment can have positive impact on the individual
but also on wider society. As well as the improving mental and physical health of victims,
repairing relations with family and improve employment, treatment can have a wider
impact on society. Injection drug usage contributes to infectious diseases such as HIV and
hepatitis, therefore treatment could mitigate public health risks. In addition, Children of
individuals with substance use disorders are at a higher risk of developing similar problems.
Breaking the cycle of addiction through treatment can positively impact future generations.
Because DRT is a cheapest and easier to administer form of treatment the public/individual
can be protected from the negative consequences of drug addiction sooner. Therefore, DRT
can be used to protect the individual and the public.
One weakness of using Drug replacement therapy is that it relies on the patient to be
proactive to take their medication. Taking medication regularly can be an issue for ordinary
people but it is escalated as an addict. The patient must want to start a change in their life
and be motivated to change their habits, this may not be the case for addicts that are forced
to start drug treatment. Furthermore, drug addicts may suffer from memory issues because
of their addiction. Heroin use can cause inflammation in the brain and can cause Alzheimer’s
whilst cannabis may target the hippocampus damaging memory. Therefore, drug
replacement therapy may not be suitable for patients with more severe addiction. This is a
huge limitation as drug replacement therapy as it is completely ineffective for patients who
may struggle to take medication.
On the other hand, a strength of DRT is that it can be used in combination with other
treatments to form a holistic approach to patients. Whilst it is argued the DRT does not
address underlying psychological and social issues faced by the patient, it can be combined
with different forms of therapies to aid the patient through their journey. Psychotherapy is
commonly used in addition to ‘substitute prescribing’ to motivate participants and create
coping strategies for the future. By providing a stable and controlled level of medication,
