6.8 Psychoactive Substances and Medications to Treat Substance Use and Withdrawal
Open Resources for Nursing (Open RN)
Information about the effects of substances such alcohol, cannabis, and illicit drugs is discussed in the “Substances: Use, Intoxication, and Overdose” section of the “Substance Use Disorders” chapter.
Medications to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid disorder include buprenorphine-naloxone, methadone, naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. These medications are discussed in the “Treatment and Recovery Services” subsection of the “Substance Use Disorders” chapter.
Medications used to manage symptoms of substance withdrawal/detoxification include buprenorphine, methadone, and Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists (such as clonidine and lofexidine). Read more about these medications in the “Withdrawal Management/Detoxification” section of the “Substance Use Disorders” chapter.