Reference no: EM133761860

Question

Different medications are administered during the various phases of opioid detox, withdrawal, and abstinence maintenance (Preston et al., 2021, p. 171). Given Mr. Smith's abuse of Vicodin and Demerol, his doctor might prescribe methadone to treat opioid dependence and maintain abstinence (Patterson et al., 2014, p. 158). Methadone can aid in long-term recovery because it lacks the ability to produce a "high," reducing the potential for abuse (Preston et al., 2021, p. 171). Additionally, the doctor could prescribe naltrexone to help with alcohol and opioid cravings, which can be taken alongside acamprosate to decrease cravings further (Preston et al., 2021, p. 169). This pharmaceutical combination could support Mr. Smith's efforts to remain abstinent, considering his long history of alcohol dependence and opioid use, which has impacted his personal life significantly. Of course, I am hypothesizing that he has a long-term issue with alcohol dependence, given that it is his drug of choice and potentially a significant factor in his four divorces. For alcohol treatment, acamprosate could be prescribed to help Mr. Smith remain abstinent. In the case of cocaine use, treatment is conducted in phases (Preston et al., 2021, p. 169). Bromocriptine.