Malibu, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/27/2015 -- Uncontrollable rise in the number of people getting addicted with cocaine and methamphetamine each year has further increased the need to make new treatments to get the line – as soon as possible. Yet, the immense intricacy of the brain's function and dysfunction has seems to be delaying the success of every experimentation to addiction treatments, that always kept the developments in neuroscience to a never-ending state of immaturity.

Among many substance disorders that needs to be treated, addiction to cocaine and methamphetamine is the highest hurdle that every doctor and researchers have to overcome. Unavailability of treatments that will surely counteract the effects of these substances once inside the body, have resulted in many clinical trials of existing medication, but none of those were specifically approved, even as a stimulant.

According to Dr. Kyle Kampman, a physician at the University of Pennsylvania, what makes cocaine and methamphetamine dependence difficult to treat is because "it does not really have a discrete target for pharmaceutical intervention". The difficulty in identifying what is to target with the treatments to be developed is due to the 'multiple pathways' both drugs are used to generate the effects after consumption. As a result, no single compound is detected that will wield sufficient maneuver over the entire system especially if both drugs were used constantly.

Despite the good news of many scientists working on the development of treatment for such addiction for decades; early celebrations are yet to come for none of these experimental therapies currently in progress will be the saving grace. The compelling reason is that it can't be used as a standalone treatment unless if these will be teamed up with a certain therapy that many rehabs are providing for the patients to get them sobered.

Though medications that are used to treat substance use disorder fall into two categories: pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic. For Acadia Rehab, most of the FDA-approved drugs for dependence that are currently being prescribed fall in the "dynamic" type. Medications under this type are either 'receptor antagonist' or 'receptor agonist'. They act once in site of action. The brain receptors targeted by the substance are also targeted and blocked by this mechanism which either prevents or reduces the after effect of the substance.

Consequently, pharmacokinetics medicines take effect right before the substance has hit the brain. Immune-based therapies including vaccines and monoclonal antibodies are under this category which disintegrate substances while it is still in the bloodstream and haven't traversed the BBB (blood-brain barrier).

Another treatment that scientist are looking forward to is the progress in some compounds of Dopamine, which had played a vital role in the addiction process. These include dopamine transport blockers (DTBs) that blocks the transport of dopamine from one neuron to another, Dopamine receptor antagonists (DRAs) and Dopamine enzyme inhibitors (DEIs) which targets the enzyme beta-hydroxylase.

While some experts strongly believe with what vaccines and monoclonal antibodies can do to fight addiction once clinical trials begins showing significant results in inducing a huge antibody response. Though for some doctors, it would take the next five years before it enters the clinical practice routinely.

Either way, approaching addiction management realistically could be considered as unpretentious and accrual developments in search of new treatments. Yet, doctors and researchers are expected not to cease from de-mystifying the function and dysfunction of the brain that will certainly put an end in search for a sustainable cure from addiction.

About Acadia Malibu
The mission of Acadia Malibu is to provide unique, high quality drug and alcohol treatment services at every step along the continuum of care. They have decades of combined experience working with clients, from the initial 'Crisis Intervention,' all the way through to aftercare and alumni services. Acadia is licensed in Malibu to provide care for those suffering from dual-diagnoses and our staff is very experienced in treating co-occurring disorders. Acadia Malibu stands by their commitment to provide a special and innovative treatment experience, and to tailor an individualized care plan for each of their clients.

Acadia Malibu has created a community-based, long-term Acadia rehab treatment model. Our flexible model allows us to create ways of making treatment affordable to most families. We shepherd clients through the treatment process by helping them to integrate themselves into the fabric of our community, and even more importantly, by focusing on what their lives are going to look like post-treatment. Most treatment professionals have admitted that the old 30-day model is not working. Affordable, long-term, community-based care that really works is the future of drug and alcohol treatment … And this is what we are committed to providing each of our clients and their families.