Drugs to treat alcohol addiction are underused
Drugs to treat alcohol addiction are underused The Economist
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Alcohol Addiction Treatment in the United States
Introduction
Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from alcohol-use disorder, which significantly impacts their lives. Alcohol-related causes lead to over 140,000 deaths each year, making alcohol the fourth-highest cause of preventable death in America. These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective treatment options.
Existing Drugs for Alcohol Addiction
For decades, drugs have been available to help individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. Drugs like Disulfiram (Antabuse), Naltrexone, and Acamprosate have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to deter alcohol use, reduce cravings, and manage withdrawal symptoms. These drugs have shown significant efficacy in treating alcoholism, comparable to how selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) treat depression. However, they are underutilized, with fewer than 2% of patients with alcohol-use disorder using any medication.
Barriers to Prescription and Usage
The reluctance to prescribe and use these drugs stems from several factors. Medical practitioners often lack adequate knowledge, training, and confidence in prescribing these medications. Additionally, the availability of FDA-approved drugs for other common ailments, such as depression, allows clinicians to mix and match treatments to address side effects. In contrast, alcohol addiction treatment lacks a diverse range of approved medications. Furthermore, many individuals with alcohol-use disorder are hesitant to seek help, resulting in only 7% receiving any form of treatment.
Potential Breakthrough: Semaglutides
Semaglutides, known as Ozempic and Wegovy, have gained popularity as drugs for treating diabetes and obesity. Patients using these drugs have reported reduced alcohol cravings, and preclinical trials on animals suggest their potential effectiveness in curbing drinking. To determine their efficacy for alcoholism, the National Institutes of Health and Oklahoma State University (OSU) have initiated randomized clinical trials on humans.
Impact on Addiction Medication
If approved by the FDA for alcohol-use disorder, semaglutides could revolutionize the way patients seek help and how doctors respond to alcohol addiction. Similar to how the approval of Prozac in 1987 changed the landscape of depression treatment, semaglutides could lead to increased comfort and willingness among doctors to prescribe medications for alcohol addiction. This shift in perception could encourage more patients to seek medication-based treatment.
Conclusion
While the results of clinical trials on semaglutides are still pending, individuals struggling with alcohol addiction do not need to wait for new drugs to seek help. Existing medications, which have been overlooked for too long, can provide effective treatment options. By addressing the barriers to prescription and usage, and raising awareness about available drugs, progress can be made towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health and well-being.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol | – Percentage of individuals with alcohol-use disorder receiving appropriate treatment – Number of deaths due to alcohol-related causes |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | – Number of deaths caused by alcohol-related non-communicable diseases |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all | – Percentage of individuals with alcohol-use disorder who have access to affordable medications for treatment |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development | – Inclusion of education on alcohol addiction and its treatment in medical school curricula |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article addresses the issue of alcohol-use disorder and its impact on individuals’ lives. This aligns with SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article mentions the lack of knowledge, training, and confidence among practitioners regarding the use of medications for alcohol addiction. This highlights the need for quality education on this topic, which relates to SDG 4.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
The article emphasizes the underuse of drugs for alcohol addiction treatment, indicating a need to strengthen the prevention and treatment of alcohol-use disorder.
Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
Alcohol-related causes contribute to premature mortality from non-communicable diseases. Therefore, addressing alcohol-use disorder is crucial to achieving this target.
Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all
The article highlights the lack of access to medications for alcohol addiction treatment. Achieving universal health coverage includes ensuring access to affordable medications for individuals with alcohol-use disorder.
Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles
The article mentions the lack of knowledge among practitioners regarding the use of medications for alcohol addiction. Including education on alcohol addiction and its treatment in medical school curricula can help address this gap.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
– Percentage of individuals with alcohol-use disorder receiving appropriate treatment
– Number of deaths due to alcohol-related causes
– Number of deaths caused by alcohol-related non-communicable diseases
– Percentage of individuals with alcohol-use disorder who have access to affordable medications for treatment
– Inclusion of education on alcohol addiction and its treatment in medical school curricula
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets by tracking the number of individuals receiving treatment, monitoring alcohol-related deaths, assessing access to affordable medications, and evaluating the inclusion of relevant education in medical school curricula.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol | – Percentage of individuals with alcohol-use disorder receiving appropriate treatment – Number of deaths due to alcohol-related causes |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | – Number of deaths caused by alcohol-related non-communicable diseases |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all | – Percentage of individuals with alcohol-use disorder who have access to affordable medications for treatment |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles | – Inclusion of education on alcohol addiction and its treatment in medical school curricula |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: economist.com
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