Polymorphisms of the DRD2 , ANKK1 , DAT1 , DBH , and DRD4 genes have been found to moderate the effects of pharmacotherapy  of alcohol , opioid , and cocaine use disorders .
The integration of genetic information with clinical data will inform health professionals of the most efficacious pharmacotherapeutic intervention for substance use disorders .
Substance use disorders have significant personal , familial , and societal consequences .
Despite the serious consequences of substance use , only a few therapies are effective in treating substance use disorders , thus highlighting a need for improved treatment practice s. Substance use treatment response depends on multiple factors such as genetic , biological , and social factors .
It is essential that each component is represented in treatment plans .
The dopaminergic system plays a critical role in the pharmacotherapy for addictions , and an underst and ing of the role of variation of genes involved in this system is essential for its success .
Naltrexone effects on alcohol consumption in a clinical laboratory paradigm: temporal effects of drinking
Background This clinical laboratory study evaluated how the timing of drinking and subjective responses to alcohol are effected by the opioid antagonist naltrexone . Methods Forty non-treatment seeking alcoholics were r and omly assigned to treatment with 50 mg naltrexone or matching placebo for 7 days . On day 7 , they were administered an “ initial drink ” of alcohol ( blood alcohol levels of between 20 and 30 mg% ) in a bar-like setting . In a r and om fashion , half of the subjects in each group ( naltrexone and placebo ) had either immediate or delayed ( 40 min ) access to up to 8 additional mini-drinks over a 2-h period . In the delayed group subjective reactions to alcohol were measured prior to access to more drinks . Results In the immediate access condition , subjects had similar drinking patterns , irrespective of whether they were taking naltrexone or placebo . However , in the delayed condition , naltrexone-treated subjects consumed fewer drinks and had a slower progression of drinking . There was a positive relationship between alcohol-induced stimulation and the number of drinks consumed in the placebo subjects but a negative correlation in the naltrexone subjects . Conclusions These data suggest that the effectiveness of naltrexone on alcohol consumption may be somewhat dependent on pattern of consumption . Since naltrexone seems to disrupt the connection between alcohol-induced stimulation and further alcohol consumption , there may be a time-critical period between drinks necessary for alcoholics to benefit from its effects . These findings are consistent with clinical trial data that suggest a potential synergistic effect between relapse prevention therapies and opiate antagonist pharmacotherapy
Polymorphisms of the DRD2 , ANKK1 , DAT1 , DBH , and DRD4 genes have been found to moderate the effects of pharmacotherapy  of alcohol , opioid , and cocaine use disorders .
The integration of genetic information with clinical data will inform health professionals of the most efficacious pharmacotherapeutic intervention for substance use disorders .
Substance use disorders have significant personal , familial , and societal consequences .
Despite the serious consequences of substance use , only a few therapies are effective in treating substance use disorders , thus highlighting a need for improved treatment practice s. Substance use treatment response depends on multiple factors such as genetic , biological , and social factors .
It is essential that each component is represented in treatment plans .
The dopaminergic system plays a critical role in the pharmacotherapy for addictions , and an underst and ing of the role of variation of genes involved in this system is essential for its success .