Contemporary methods in pharmacotherapy in the opiate dependent treatment

Abstract

In this review, we present methods of pharmacotherapy in opiate dependence currently used in Poland and worldwide. As problems associated with drug abuse increase in severity, it is particularly important to bring these methods to the attention of medical professionals, governmental agencies and the general public. Here we describe pharmacotherapeutic approaches used in detoxification as well as relapse prevention. The presented methods of detoxification include classical treatments with clonidine and methadone as well as newer methods of rapid and ultrarapid detoxification. Agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists can be used in preventing relapse in detoxified patients. Experimental therapeutic approaches in the treatment of drug dependence are also presented. Psychotherapy and psychiatric care, central to the successful treatment of opiate dependence, are reviewed as well.