title: Narcotic antagonists. Treatment tool for addiction.
abstract: Narcotic antagonists have recently gained attention through research aimed at evaluating both biochemical effects and treatment potential for opiate addiction. Narcotic antagonists are a classification of drugs which block the euphoric (and all other) effects of opiates. Naltrexone is the most promising narcotic antagonist based on ability to produce blockade, length of duration, and relative absence of side effects. The narcotic antagonists offer an adjunctive or alternative method of treatment for opiate addicts based on Wikler's biobehavioral theory of conditioned abstinence. Narcotic antagonists are presently being investigated at seven research centers throughout the United States and may be available for clinical use in the future.
mesh_terms: D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009021:Morphine Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000266:history / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists