Question

Complete the following Pharmacotherapy and Medication Assisted Therapy chart. For each "Purpose of Medication," list the name of a medication that is used for the purpose listed. Complete each of the remaining fields for the medication listed.

Anxiety and depression
Detoxification of substances
Decrease cravings

Answer 1

Medications are available to treat anxiety disorders. Doctors may prescribe medication alone or in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or another kind of therapy.

Types of anxiety medication

Several types of medication can treat the symptoms of anxiety. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), the four major classes of drugs for anxiety disorders are as follows:
1) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

citalopram (Celexa)

escitalopram (Lexapro)

fluoxetine (Prozac)

fluvoxamine (Luvox)

paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)

sertraline (Zoloft)

2) Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

duloxetine (Cymbalta)

venlafaxine (Effexor XR)

3) Tricyclic antidepressants

amitriptyline (Elavil)

imipramine (Tofranil)

nortriptyline (Pamelor)

4) Benzodiazepines

alprazolam (Xanax)

chlordiazepoxide (Librium)

diazepam (Valium)

lorazepam (Ativan)

Opioid antagonists actually block the opioid receptors in the brain, preventing the neurotransmitters from being stimulated even when new drugs are introduced. This means that while taking an opioid antagonist, your body will no longer accept any other forms of opioids. Since this effectively blocks the ability to get high, it decreases the desire to take more drugs. Many of these antagonists are used after the detox process is complete in order to prevent relapse, although some can be used for detox purposes as well.

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist available in tablet form under the names ReVia and Depade and also in an extended-release injected form called Vivitrol. Since none of these forms counteract opioid withdrawal symptoms, naltrexone is usually recommended for use after most of the opioids are out of your system. Naltrexone is used as a part of the long-term treatment plan for opioid and alcohol addiction.

Naloxone is another opioid antagonist, often known as Narcon, that is generally used to reverse the effects of opioids in the case of an overdose. It works quickly via an injection or when inhaled through the nose. Naltrexone and naloxone can also be used for detox if withdrawal symptoms are not overly severe.

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Controlling Alcohol Cravings With Medication

By

Buddy T

Reviewed by

Amy Morin, LCSW

Updated on March 19, 2020

People who have become alcohol dependent often experience withdrawal symptoms and cravings when they try to stop drinking. This craving for alcohol is one of the reasons that a majority of those who try to quit drinking fail to do so on their first attempt.1

Medications

Currently, only three medications are approved by the FDA for the treatment of alcoholism, plus one that is sometimes prescribed for off-label use, and others that are being studied.

• Naltrexone: Marketed as Revia in pill form and Vivitrol as a once-monthly injection, it works by blocking in the brain the "high" that people experience when they drink alcohol. By blocking the pleasure the drinker receives from alcohol and the reward feedback loop in the brain, naltrexone eventually reduces cravings.2
• Campral (acamprosate) is the only medication available in the U.S. that claims to reduce alcohol craving.