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S006-3

Pharmcotherapy for Substance Abuse Disorder

Hisham Ramy

Ain Shams University, Egypt

Background/Objective: Most centers focus on management of adverse events of substance abuse .

Method: We systematically reviewed existing pharmacotherapy studies of substance abuse
disorders.

Result: Pharmacological agents used for treatment of substance abuse vary .These include
antiepileptics , antidepressants and naltrexone .They appear to reduce early withdrawal
symptoms and comorbid psychopathology . The most robust evidence exists for the treatment of
substance abuse comorbid with affective disorders. The rate of participation in addiction treatment
was 78% for the buprenorphine or naloxone , 45% receives counseling , and 37% for
referral. One third used inpatient addiction treatment services .Tthe buprenorphine and naloxone
showed greater reduction in self-reported illicit opioid use.There is a limited database supporting
the use of agents to reduce substance craving and the preventative effects of pharmacotherapy on
relapse prevention .

Conclusion: Further controlled studies directed at reducing drug use and craving, and guiding the
integration of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions for substance use disorders .

Reference: Pallin D, and Pallin D. Starting Suboxone Therapy in the Emergency Department
(ED) for Opioid Abusers
Journal Watch, Apr 2015; 2015: NA37695