u09d2 Addictions

For this discussion:

Locate and read a recent, full-text article from the Capella Library on a drug (for example, heroin or Prozac), its behavioral correlates, and its place in the pharmacopoeia. Based on your literature review and the text readings, summarize the major effects of the drugs, and link these effects to the various receptors that have been identified in brain. Distinguish between physical and psychological addiction. Cite your source using standard APA guidelines.

Response Guidelines Respond to at least one other learner. Your response is expected to be substantive in nature and to reference the assigned readings, as well as other theoretical, empirical, or professional literature to support your views and writings. Reference your sources using standard APA guidelines.

The research article under investigation tested the relative and combined efficacy of the drug, clomipramine, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) exposure and ritual prevention in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is psychopathological disorder characterized by recurrent obsessive thoughts, images or impulses that evoke anxiety and by compulsive behaviors (e.g. hand washing) or mental acts (e.g. ritualistic praying) aimed at decreasing discomfort (Foa et al., 2005). According to Carlson (2013) most compulsions are divided into four categories: counting, checking, cleaning and avoidance; and females are more prone to OCD than males. Some evidence indicates that OCD may be due to genetic factors and associated with Tourettes syndrome, a disorder characterized by facial and vocal tics. Other evidence suggests that neural damage or autoimmune diseases (e.g. encephalitis) may also elicit lesions in the basal ganglia, cingulated gyrus and prefrontal cortex primarily associated with OCD (Carlson, 2013). Clomipramine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) which has clinically demonstrated to be the most efficacious drug in alleviating the symptoms of OCD. More specifically, this antiobsessional drug is a 5-HT reuptake blocker (SRI) and a serotonergic agonist (Carlson, 2013). Researchers contend that the neurological and behavioral correlates of clomipramine treatment regimens are effective in reducing the strength of inherent tendencies to engage in OCD behavioral symptoms. Clomipramines effectiveness is invoked by specifically targeting serotonergic receptor terminals in cortical regions of the basal ganglia, caucate nucleus and orbitofrontal cortex thus inhibiting excessive attention to species-typical behaviors (e.g. cleanliness and attention to danger).

This research study tested the relative and combined efficacy of CBT and clomipramine treatments with 122 adult OCD outpatient participants (Foa et al., 2005). The double blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial included CBT for 4 weeks followed by eight weeks of maintenance sessions for group one, clomipramine only (250 mg/day) for 12 weeks for group two, 12 weeks of combined CBT/clomipramine treatment for group three, and group four received a placebo for 12 weeks. The main outcome measures were the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and the rates of improvement were assessed using the Clinical Global Impression Improvement scale. The results of the trial indicated that all treatment effects surpassed the placebo group. The effect of the CBT only group did not differ from the combined CBT/clomipramine treatment group and both were shown to be superior to the clomipramine only group. CBT only group showed the largest treated and completer response rate of OCD symptomatic decrease from 62% to 86% compared to combined CBT/clomipramine treated and completer rates of 70% to 79% (Foa et al., 2005). Therefore, the research team concluded that clomipramine, CBT, and their combination are all effective in treating OCD. However, CBT therapy may be superior to clomipramine and perhaps other pharmacotherapy procedures involving SRIs as a treatment regimen for OCD. Anthony Rhodes General Psychology PhD. References Carlson, N. R. (2013). Physiology of behavior (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN: 9780205239399. Foa, E. B., Liebowitz, M. R., Kozak, M. J., Davies, S., Campeas, R., Franklin, M. E & Tu, X. (2005). Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of exposure and ritual prevention, clomipramine, and their combination in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 162(1), 151-161.