At this point in the course, you should have an approved topic, an annotated bibliography, and an
outline for your Final Research Paper. During this week, you will create the final paper. Your research
paper should be 1,500-2,000-words and reflect critical thinking and analysis. Refer to the Academic
Writing Guidelines Resource located in the Course Materials section for assistance with this.
You must have a minimum of six references to support your research. The references should be taken
from the annotated bibliography completed earlier in the course.
Your research paper should include information about the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Brief history of the drug
Psychopharmacology of the drug
Current trends or issues
Societal concerns or issues related to the drug
Significance or relevance of topic to the counseling profession
Any future implications
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the
Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become
familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
Running head: RESEARCH PAPER: PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT FOR
Research Paper: Pharmacological Treatment for Substance Use Disorders
Rosa L. Wilson
PCN-527
October 10, 2018
Dr. Tricia Chandler
1
RESEARCH PAPER: PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT FOR
2
Outline
Pharmacological treatment for substance use disorder – alcohol
I.
Introduction
This is one of the best and most effective medical treatments for alcohol use disorder.
Surprisingly, the medication is also very effective in blocking the effects of opioids as
well as the reduction of craving for victims of alcohol use disorder. Naltrexone is
often sold under the brand name ReVia or Vivitrol. This is an important medication
because it treats more than one disorder; that is, alcohol use disorder and opioids
dependence.
a. Describe alcohol use disorder.
b.
Naltrexone treatment approach.
c. Thesis: This research paper will discuss the history of naltrexone,
psychopharmacology of the drug, current trends, society concerns related to
alcohol, the importance to the counseling profession, and future implications.
II.
History of the drug
a. Naltrexone was first synthesized by metosian in 1963 in a small pharmaceutical
company in the city of New York (O'Brien & McKay, 2007).
b. It was characterized by Blumberg, Dayton, and wolf in the year 1965 and it is
through this that it was found to be orally active, potent to opioid antagonist, and
long acting (O'Brien & McKay, 2007).
RESEARCH PAPER: PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT FOR
3
c. Naltrexone was first patented under the code EN-1639A in the year 1967 by the
Endo laboratories (O'Brien & McKay, 2007).
d. In 1973, clinical trials began in an effort to test the opioid dependence (O'Brien &
McKay, 2007).
e. In 1984, the drug was approved by the FDA for oral treatment under the brand
name; Trexan (O'Brien & McKay, 2007).
f. 11 years later, the drug was approved for oral treatment of alcohol dependence
and the brand name changed to ReVia (O'Brien & McKay, 2007).
III.
Psychopharmacology of the drug
a. Effects on thinking, mood and behavior (Van den Brink, 2012).
b. Naltrexone and its active metabolite 6b- naltrexol are competitive antagonists
(O'Brien & McKay, 2007).
c. Mechanism of action. The blockade of the opioid receptors forms the basis for the
drug action mechanism in managing opioid dependence (Van den Brink, 2012).
d. Pharmacokinetics. The drug is metabolized in the liver by the enzymes in about 413 hours (O'Brien & McKay, 2007).
e. Pharmacogenetics. Alcoholics have a variant of the opioid receptor gene known
as Asp40 (O'Brien & McKay, 2007).
IV.
Current trends or issues
a. It only works once opioids are washed out of a person’s system.
b. Depersonalization.
c. Low dose.
RESEARCH PAPER: PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT FOR
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d. Self-injury.
e. Behavioral disorders.
f. Interferon alpha.
V.
Societal concerns or issues related to the topic
a. Generic names. According to Lee et al. (2015), they include; INN, USAN,
BANM, USP, DCIT, DCF, and BAN.
b.
Brand names. According to Lee et al. (2015), they include; Adepend, Antaxone,
Celupan, Depade, Nalorex, Narcoral, Nemexin, Revia, Trexan, and Vivitrol.
d. Controversies, in 2011, an article reported that this single trial of naltrexone was
carried out by comparing placebo instead of methodone (Sharma & Kar, 2015).
VI.
Significance or relevance of topic to the counseling profession
a.
This is a very relevant research topic as far as the counseling profession is
concerned.
b.
It aids the counselor in understanding the importance as well as effects of longterm use of the medication.
c.
Equip the counselors with relevant information concerning available medications
for alcohol use disorders.
VII. Any future implications
RESEARCH PAPER: PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT FOR
a.
5
With the current depth of research, another medication may soon be innovated
rendering naltrexone ineffective.
b.
More research needs to be done of how to reduce the side effects associated with
the medication.
VIII. Conclusion
a.
Describe alcohol use disorder.
b.
Brief history of the drug.
c.
Impact of the treatment approach.
d.
Current trends.
e.
Impact on society.
f.
Relevance of the topic to the counseling profession.
g.
Any future implications.
RESEARCH PAPER: PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT FOR
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References
Douaihy, A. B., Kelly, T. M., & Sullivan, C. (2013). Medications for substance use
disorders. Social work in public health, 28(3-4), 264-278.
Lee, J., Kresina, T. F., Campopiano, M., Lubran, R., & Clark, H. W. (2015). Use of
pharmacotherapies in the treatment of alcohol use disorders and opioid dependence in
primary care. BioMed research international, 2015.
Nora, D., & Volkow, M. D. (2004). Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment:
A Research-Based Guide. PNAS, 101, 8174-8179.
O'Brien, C. P., & McKay, J. (2007). Psychopharmacological treatments of substance use
disorders. A guide to treatments that work, 145-177.
Sharma, D., & Kar, S. K. (2015). Recent advances in pharmacological management of substance
use disorders. International Journal of Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological
Diseases, 5(4), 118.
Van den Brink, W. (2012). Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of substance use disorders
and pathological gambling. Current drug abuse reviews, 5(1), 3-31.
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