Substance Abuse Treatment
Include the following information in your paper:
Introduction
Current substance abuse prevalence in the U.S. (trends, stats, etc.)
Treatment options
Compare and contrast methadone and buprenorphine for substance abuse treatment. Include mechanism of action, contraindications, and the pros or cons of each option.
Naltrexone is often used in psychiatric mental health care for many reasons related to addiction and/or impulse control. It is also occasionally used to help patients with self-injurious behaviors or needed weight loss as well. Considering the mechanism of action of naltrexone; how does it aid in substance use treatment?
Conclusion
4 pages minimum not including title and reference page.
At list 3 scholarly articles/ references
Substance Abuse Treatment
For this assignment, you will write a paper related to substance abuse and the current treatment options available.
Your writing assignment should:
• follow the conventions of Standard English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.);
• be well ordered, logical, and unified, as well as original and insightful;
• be a minimum of 4 pages in length, not including title or reference page;
• display superior content, organization, style, and mechanics; and
• use APA formatting and citation style.
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Sample Answer
Substance abuse is a significant public health problem in the United States. According to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 20 million Americans over the age of 12 have a substance use disorder. This includes individuals who struggle with alcohol abuse, as well as those who abuse illicit drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and opioid painkillers.
Substance abuse rates vary depending on the type of substance. For example, alcohol abuse is more common than abuse of other substances, with an estimated 16 million people in the United States having an alcohol use disorder. Opioid abuse is also a significant problem, with over 2 million Americans struggling with an opioid use disorder.
There are many different treatment options available for individuals struggling with substance abuse. One of the most common forms of treatment is medication-Helped treatment (MAT), which involves using medication to help individuals overcome their addiction and maintain long-term recovery.
Two of the most commonly used medications for substance abuse treatment are methadone and buprenorphine. Both medications are opioids, which means they act on the same receptors in the brain as drugs like heroin and prescription painkillers.
Methadone works by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain, which reduces the person’s cravings for drugs and blocks the effects of other opioids. It is typically used for individuals who are dependent on drugs like heroin or prescription painkillers, and is usually dispensed daily at a specialized treatment clinic.
Buprenorphine, on the other hand, also binds to the opioid receptors in the brain, but it has a lower potential for abuse and is less likely to cause respiratory depression than other opioids. It is often prescribed for individuals who are struggling with opioid addiction, and can be taken at home as a tablet or film that dissolves under the tongue.
One of the main differences between methadone and buprenorphine is their mechanism of action. Methadone works by fully activating the opioid receptors in the brain, which can help to reduce cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine, on the other hand, only partially activates the opioid receptors, which can help to reduce cravings without producing the same level of intoxication as other opioids.
Another key difference between the two medications is their potential for abuse. Methadone is a full opioid agonist, which means it has a high potential for abuse and can be dangerous if not used correctly. Buprenorphine, on the other hand, is a partial opioid agonist, which means it has a lower potential for abuse and is generally considered to be safer than other opioids.
Both medications also have certain contraindications, or circumstances in which they should not be used. For example, methadone should not be used by individuals who have respiratory depression or severe asthma, as it can worsen these conditions. Buprenorphine, on the other hand, should not be used by individuals who have liver disease or are taking certain medications that can interact with it.
There are both pros and cons to using methadone and buprenorphine for substance abuse treatment. One of the main advantages of methadone is that it can be very effective at reducing cravings and preventing withdrawal symptoms, which can make it easier for individuals to maintain their recovery. However, the potential for abuse and the need to visit a clinic daily for dosing can be disadvantages.
Buprenorphine, on the other hand, has the advantage of being easier to take at home and having a lower potential for abuse. However, it may not be as effective at reducing cravings and preventing withdrawal symptoms as methadone, which can make it more difficult for some
