Addiction is a chronic condition that is difficult to treat. Medications are one of the primary treatment options for alcohol and substance abuse. The addicted individual might need to take medications during the recovery process. Or he might need to take the medicines to recover from complications that have arisen from the addiction disorder. Usually, people use medicines at the time of detoxification so that they can better manage their withdrawal symptoms. The medicines that are recommended for treatment options for alcohol and substance abuse are different for each. That is, different medicines are required for treatment of each type of abuse.

Medicines for alcohol abuse
The following medicines are recommended for alcohol abuse.

• Campral or Acamprosate helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms associated with alcoholism. It works for long-term symptoms. It can help alleviate problems such as feeling unhappy, inability to sleep, and anxiety disorder. This medicine is recommended for people who are chronically addicted to alcohol. It ensures that the brain does not get too excited when alcohol is consumed and so abstinence is promoted with the help of this medication.
• Antabuse or Disulfiram works by preventing an enzyme that is responsible for metabolizing alcohol. If the person tries to consume alcohol after taking the medication then he will suffer from certain uncomfortable reactions. The medication can lead to changes in the heartbeat, blurred vision, sweating, breathing difficulty, redness in the face, chest pain, and feeling sick. This is normally recommended for those people who are desperate to come out of their situation of being alcoholics and it helps deter them to go back to their usual ways of drinking.

Medicines for substance abuse
The following medicines are recommended for substance abuse:

• Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist because it activates and blocks the opioid receptors found in the brain. It is one of the first medication that was approved by the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 to help people with opioid addiction. Buprenorphine is used as a part of the treatment for people who have a substance abuse problem. It is usually recommended when people exhibit signs of withdrawal.
• Methadone is a medicine that reduces the cravings in people who have a history of substance abuse. It helps reduce withdrawal symptoms in adults. Methadone works similarly to morphine. It can be taken as a tablet, in its liquid form, or as a powder. Methadone blocks the euphoria people feel when they consume substances such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and codeine. It enables people to feel relief as it helps replace opioids but with much milder effects.

Medicine for alcohol and substance abuse
Naltrexone is a medication that is used to lower the chances of having a relapse in adults. It works by preventing opioid receptors that are found in the brain. These receptors give the feeling of happiness when the person consumes alcohol or substance. Naltrexone enables its prevention so that the person doesn’t feel the high and euphoric feeling when they consume alcohol or substance. It is not suitable for everyone but it is helpful for some. It is available in the form of tablets and injections.

Doctors might prescribe other medicines. For example, a person can be prescribed depression medications or other medications for mental health conditions. Instead of giving medications alone as treatment options for alcohol and substance abuse, doctors will recommend other treatment options that can be used in conjunction with the medicines. These will ensure that the addiction cycle is broken. Doctors can recommend using the medicines for a longer time to prevent relapse from taking place. It will prevent the person from getting back to alcohol or substance after getting cured. People should work with their doctor for the best treatment plan.