Pharmacological treatment of psychostimulant use disorders.

Abstract

Implementation of psychopharmacology for the treatment of stimulant use disorders remains a challenge, with no medications specifically approved to treat cocaine or methamphetamine addiction. In the absence of an approved medication, behavioral interventions are the mainstay of treatment. The Tool Kit of Resources provides clinicians with comprehensive reviews of available evidence on pharmacologic treatment strategies. For patients, there are several websites that provide reliable information on understanding and overcoming addiction.

Prescription psychostimulants as a harm reduction and treatment intervention for methamphetamine use disorder and the implications for nursing clinical practice: A scoping review of the literature

“…Due to the concurrent nature of substance use and mental health, there is controversy surrounding prescription psychostimulants for individuals experiencing concurrent disorders (Camacho et al, 2010; Lalanne et al, 2016; Schmitz et al, 2019). In one study, dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate were unsuccessful at promoting abstinence from methamphetamine use in a 38‐year‐old female diagnosed with bipolar mixed type with methamphetamine dependence (Camacho et al, 2010).…”

“…Therefore, nurses need to understand the importance of their assessment and observations to support physician diagnosis and pharmacological interventions. The assessments can include additional screening tools such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) screening to help determine the underlying reason for the methamphetamine dependence (Palis et al, 2021) and questionnaires such as the Methamphetamine Withdrawal Questionnaire to supplement nursing assessments (Schmitz et al, 2019).…”

“…While sustained abstinence remains the recovery goal for those with methamphetamine use disorder, it remains elusive for many people due to the complicated nature of addiction (Schmitz et al, 2019). Non-pharmacological interventions remain the first line of treatment for methamphetamine dependence (Asharani et al, 2020), and the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions such as contingency management and cognitive behavioural therapy, is well-documented (Asharani et al, 2020).…”

“…Non‐pharmacological interventions remain the first line of treatment for methamphetamine dependence (Asharani et al, 2020), and the effectiveness of non‐pharmacological interventions such as contingency management and cognitive behavioural therapy, is well‐documented (Asharani et al, 2020). However, the nature of addiction and a lack of motivation from individuals to engage in psychotherapy often leads to high drop‐out rates from treatment programmes, meaning that non‐pharmacological interventions are not sufficient as stand‐alone treatments in managing methamphetamine dependence (Donovan & Wells, 2007; Schmitz et al, 2019). Calls for integrated approaches that utilize both non‐pharmacological and pharmacological interventions are becoming increasingly common from both clinicians and patients (Schmitz et al, 2019).…”

“…However, the nature of addiction and a lack of motivation from individuals to engage in psychotherapy often leads to high drop‐out rates from treatment programmes, meaning that non‐pharmacological interventions are not sufficient as stand‐alone treatments in managing methamphetamine dependence (Donovan & Wells, 2007; Schmitz et al, 2019). Calls for integrated approaches that utilize both non‐pharmacological and pharmacological interventions are becoming increasingly common from both clinicians and patients (Schmitz et al, 2019).…”