NCJ Number
211177
Date Published
2005
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video presents an expert panel discussion on medication-assisted therapies for the recovery from alcohol and other drug addictions.
Abstract
Ivette Tores, the moderator, introduces the four expert panel members: (1) H. Westley Clark, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; (2) Frank Vocci, Director for the Division of Pharmocotherapies and Medical Consequences of Drug Abuse, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; (3) Mark Willenbring, Director of the Division of Treatment and Recovery Research, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and (4) Dana Moulton, Project Assistance for the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery. The panel begins by reviewing what medication-assisted therapy is, which they define as pharmacological assistance with detoxification and other symptoms associated with drug misuse to facilitate recovery and to assist in sustaining recovery over the long-term. The panel members review the medications currently available and how they are used to assist with recovery. The panel underscores the importance of receiving counseling or other behavioral therapies in conjunction with medication and they provide a profile of a typical candidate for medication-assisted therapy. Current research with regards to medications for addiction recovery is reviewed and panel members discuss education efforts aimed at physicians to enhance their understanding of medication-assisted addiction therapies. One panel member discusses his experience with addiction and recovery and resources for additional recovery assistance are identified.