Integration of Pharmacotherapies in the Existing Programs for the Treatment of Alcoholics: An International Perspective (From Integration of Pharmacological and Nonpharmacological Treatments in Drug/Alcohol Addictions, P 65-82, 1997, Norman S Miller and Barry Stimmel, eds. - See NCJ-170457)

• NCJ Number: 170462
• Author(s): F Poldrugo
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

This review examines current therapies of alcoholism and addresses difficulties encountered in evaluating the results of integrating pharmacological therapies and psychosocial treatments for alcoholics.

Abstract

Various treatment modalities and goals exist in different countries, creating problems of comparability. The recognition of alcoholism as a separate entity from associated psychiatric comorbidity and the introduction of specific pharmacotherapies represent major advances in the treatment of alcoholism. Combining pharmacological and psychosocial treatments appears to be the most effective approach in the treatment of alcoholism. In the future, rational therapy with an appropriate choice of treatment strategies will decrease the necessity for hospital treatment of alcoholic patients. Cultural and related parameters of alcohol consumption are examined, as well as health policies and legislation and therapeutic goals of nonpharmacological interventions. Specific pharmacological interventions are identified, including drugs that treat acute alcohol intoxication, drugs that treat alcohol withdrawal, and drugs that inhibit drinking behaviors. 55 references and 6 tables