6.8 Psychoactive Substances and Medications to Treat Substance Use and Withdrawal

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.