Drug therapy (or pharmacotherapy) involves the administration of drugs to treat or prevent disease. In some cases – often in the treatment of disease such as cancer, HIV infection and diabetes – multiple drugs with different active ingredients may be administered, which is known as combination therapy.
Medication can be used as part of addiction treatment to: Help manage withdrawal symptoms, particularly during medical detox. Reduce cravings for substances. Minimize the risk of relapse during recovery.
The two main drugs used to help people cope with stress are benzodiazepines, which work on neurotransmitters in the brain, and beta blockers, which work on the sympathomedullary pathway.
Drug addiction can be cured, but people cannot stop using drugs for a few days to recover. Most patients require long-term or repeated care to completely stop using it and return to life.