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Alcohol abuse and alcoholism: an overview
1Penn/VA Center for Study of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|October 5, 2001
Summary
Alcoholism is a major psychiatric disorder with significant costs. Addiction treatment, including medications like naltrexone and psychosocial support, offers societal cost savings and improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are leading psychiatric disorders in the US.
- These conditions incur substantial medical and economic costs.
- Addiction treatment investments yield societal cost savings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical application of naltrexone for alcohol addiction.
- To discuss psychosocial interventions for improving treatment adherence.
- To highlight the role of neurotransmitter systems in alcohol addiction.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical naltrexone use.
- Discussion of psychosocial program effectiveness.
- Examination of alcohol's effects on neurotransmitter systems (GABA, serotonin, dopamine, opioids).
Main Results:
- Naltrexone is a clinically useful pharmacologic intervention.
- Psychosocial programs enhance treatment retention and adherence.
- Understanding alcohol's neurochemical effects informs treatment strategies.
Conclusions:
- Multiple pharmacologic interventions show promise for alcohol addiction treatment.
- Integrated treatment approaches combining medication and psychosocial support are beneficial.
- Further research into neurobiological targets can advance addiction therapy.