Researcher

Alcohol, opioids, nicotine, and psychostimulants have different chemical structures; however, they seem to exert their actions via similar neurochemical pathways in the brain, which lead to addiction. Current pharmacotherapy approaches available for the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction aim at minimizing symptoms of acute abstinence and the risk of relapse. Alcoholism is a complex disorder exhibiting multiple symptoms. It is often co-morbid with Major Depressive Disorders, antisocial personality, or anxiety. According to the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV), individuals must meet three of the following criteria during a 12-month period for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence: a) Tolerance to alcohol, increase amounts of alcohol consumption to achieve same effects, b) Signs or symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, c) Attempts to cut down are unsuccessful, d) Long periods of time spent in obtaining alcohol, alcohol consumption, and hangovers, e) Impaired social and work activities due to alcohol consumption, and f) Alcohol consumption is not decreased even if it leads to adverse effects physically and psychologically (1). Pharmacological treatment of alcohol dependence include agents that minimize the positive reinforcing effects of alcohol (such as naltrexone) and other agents used to relieve withdrawal symptoms and promote abstinence (such as Sedatives and Disulfiram) (2). Naltrexone is a mu-opioid and a delta-opioid recepto