What is the role of medications in treating substance abusing offenders?
Medications can be an important component of effective drug abuse treatment for offenders. By allowing the body to function normally, they enable the addict to leave behind a life of crime and drug abuse. Opiate agonist medications, which work by replacing neurotransmitters in brain cells that have become altered or desensitized as a result of drug abuse, tend to be well tolerated and can help an individual remain in treatment. Antagonist medications, which work by blocking the effects of a drug, are effective but often are not taken as prescribed. Despite evidence of their effectiveness, addiction medications are underutilized in the treatment of drug abusers within the criminal justice system. Still, some jurisdictions have found ways to successfully implement medication therapy for drug abusing offenders.
Medications can be an important component of effective drug abuse treatment for offenders. By allowing the body to function normally, they enable the addict to leave behind a life of crime and drug abuse. For example, opioid agonist/partial agonist medications, which act at the same receptors as heroin, morphine, and natural brain chemicals (endorphins), tend to be well tolerated and can help an individual remain in treatment. Antagonist medications, which work by blocking the effects of a drug, are effective but often are not taken as prescribed. Despite evidence of their effectiveness, addiction medications are underutilized in the treatment of drug abusers within the criminal justice system. Still, some jurisdictions have found ways to successfully implement medication therapy for drug abusing offenders.
