Treatments for Drug Addictions (on test)

drug and action: disulfiram (antabuse)

• alcoholism

• inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase; aversive treatment

drug and action: naltrexone

• alcoholism

• opioid receptor antagonist; supposedly blocks reward; effectiveness questioned

drug and action: acamprosate

• alcoholism

• GABA agonist; glutamate antagonist; reduces craving, unpleasant effects of abstinence

drug and action: nicotine patches, gum, etc.

• nicotine

• replaces nicotine

drug and action: bupropion (zyban)

• nicotine

• blocks reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin

drug and action: varencline (chantix)

• nicotine

• enhances general reward; reduces nicotine reward; reduces withdrawal effects; blocks nicotine acetylcholine receptors

drug and action: naloxone

• heroin / opiates

• opioid receptor antagonist; competes w/ opiates for receptor sites

drug and action: levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM)

• heroin / opiates

• replaces opiates at receptor

drug and action: methadone

• heroin / opiate

• replaces opiates at receptor

drug and action: buprenorphine

• heroin / opiates

• replaces opiates at receptor