NIDA'S Updated Guide Book Emphasizes Science

Drug addiction treatment trends.

Favoring objective medicine over moral exhortation, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has updated one of its primary research guides, continuing the trend toward focusing on the scientific aspects of drug and alcohol addiction.

In the preface to the updated 2nd Edition of Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment, available here, NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow writes:

“Addiction affects multiple brain circuits, including those involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory, and inhibitory control over behavior. Some individuals are more vulnerable than others to becoming addicted, depending on genetic makeup, age of exposure to drugs, other environmental influences, and the interplay of all these factors.”

Looking toward the future, Volkow writes that “we will harness new research results on the influence of genetics and environment on gene function and expression (i.e., epigenetics), which are heralding the development of personalized treatment interventions.”

Here are excerpts from a section of the updated guide titled “Principles of Effective Treatment.”

--No single treatment is appropriate for everyone.

“Matching treatment settings, interventions, and services to an individual's particular problems and needs is critical to his or her ultimate success in returning to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and society.”

--Treatment needs to be readily available.

“Potential patients can be lost if treatment is not immediately available or readily accessible. As with other chronic diseases, the earlier treatment is offered in the disease process, the greater the likelihood of positive outcomes.”

-- Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical.

“Research indicates that most addicted individuals need at least 3 months in treatment to significantly reduce or stop their drug use and that the best outcomes occur with longer durations of treatment. Recovery from drug addiction is a longterm process and frequently requires multiple episodes of treatment.”

-- Medications are an important element of treatment for many patients, especially when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies.

“For example, methadone and buprenorphine are effective in helping individuals addicted to heroin or other opioids stabilize their lives and reduce their illicit drug use. Naltrexone is also an effective medication for some opioid-addicted individuals and some patients with alcohol dependence. Other medications for alcohol dependence include acamprosate, disulfiram, and topiramate.”

-- Many drug-addicted individuals also have other mental disorders.

“Because drug abuse and addiction—both of which are mental disorders—often co-occur with other mental illnesses, patients presenting with one condition should be assessed for the other(s). And when these problems co-occur, treatment should address both (or all), including the use of medications as appropriate.”

-- Treatment programs should assess patients for the presence of HIV/ AIDS, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases as well as provide targeted risk-reduction counseling to help patients modify or change behaviors that place them at risk of contracting or spreading infectious diseases.

“Typically, drug abuse treatment addresses some of the drug-related behaviors that put people at risk of infectious diseases. Targeted counseling specifically focused on reducing infectious disease risk can help patients further reduce or avoid substance-related and other high-risk behaviors.”

Graphics Credit: NIDA