Addiction is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, characterized by periods of remission (abstinence) and relapse. It involves a complex set of physiological, behavioral, and cognitive phenomena, where behaviors related to the intake of psychoactive substances become predominant, overshadowing other behaviors that were previously typical for the individual. Substance addiction includes a set of specific symptoms and behaviors, driven by an irresistible desire to consume psychoactive substances (psychological craving). Addiction marks the crossing of a fine and elusive line between voluntary desire and compulsion, which entirely disrupts self-control. This line is crossed only once, but irreversibly, and even in abstinence, an addict remains dependent for life.
Addiction leads to numerous harms, including:
- Physical
- Psychological
- Social
Substitution treatment involves using, within the framework of an addiction treatment program, medicinal products or narcotics with an agonist effect on the opioid receptor, known as “substitution drugs.”
The goals of substitution treatment are to:
- Improve the physical and mental state
- Rehabilitate addicted individuals
- Limit the spread of HIV and other infections
Since addiction often leads to life-threatening health consequences, individuals with addiction should seek treatment.
Contemporary addiction treatment approaches include:
- Drug-free programs – aimed at stopping the intake of psychoactive substances and reintegrating into culturally accepted norms. The primary treatment method is psychotherapeutic intervention, without pharmacological treatment of addiction. This treatment can be conducted in residential centers, day centers, or outpatient facilities.
- Pharmacological treatment conducted as substitution programs – involves the long-term use of substitution drugs (levomethadone, methadone, and buprenorphine) in supervised medical programs. This approach focuses on improving the patient’s health, reducing substance intake, and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Often, this is the only way for addicted patients to maintain abstinence.
Molteni Farmaceutici Polska was a pioneer in introducing substitution therapy drugs in Poland. Today, Molteni remains the sole provider of a complete portfolio of substitution therapy drugs: levomethadone, methadone, and buprenorphine, tailored to the needs and addiction level of the patient. Additionally, Molteni supports substitution centers with electronic drug dispensing systems, ensuring complete supervision over opioid medications used during treatment and enhancing the safety of therapy.