Identifying the Optimal Therapeutic Strategy in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: Can Pharmacological Therapies Prevent Relapse in Opioid- and Alcohol-Addicted Patients?

The addiction to opioids and alcohol is one of the most significant public health concerns worldwide. One of the current approaches to the treatment of substance use disorders is the use of pharmacological therapy. In the United States, five pharmacological agents are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. The objective of the research carried out for the purpose of this dissertation is to determine the efficacy of these five pharmacological agents in the prevention of relapse in patients with opioid and/or alcohol dependence. A literature review of current evidence was conducted, and the results of several clinical studies are presented. The results of these studies support the efficacy of naltrexone, buprenorphine, and methadone in the treatment of opioid use disorder and relapse prevention; and naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram in the treatment of alcohol use disorder and relapse prevention when compared to placebo or usual treatment. The use of medication-assisted therapy, which involves both pharmacological therapy and behavioral therapy, is recommended as the optimal treatment for opioid- and alcohol-addicted patients. Future research on the effects of opioid misuse on alcohol use disorder treatment outcomes and alcohol use on opioid use disorder treatment outcomes, as well as potential therapeutic interventions for co occurring opioid and alcohol use disorders, is needed