Addiction is a substance dependence in which the affected person feels helpless and unable to stop the obsession with consuming a substance or prevent a particular behavior. Millions of Americans are addicted to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and even behaviors such as obsessive gambling. Pharmacotherapy is a treatment process in which a counselor may use a particular medication to counteract an addictive drug or behavior. Not all counselors agree with this type of treatment. However, in order to provide a client with ethical treatment and unbiased opinions, they must be informed of all scientific evidence for different treatment options. “Thus, attention to drug therapy for addiction is an ethical mandate, regardless of a counselor's biases” (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2008, p. 196). Some specific drug therapies that a counselor may use for addiction treatment are bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), disulfiram (Antabuse), naltrexone (ReVia, Depade), methadone (Dolophine), and buprenorphine (Temgesic, Suboxone ).Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) is used in the pharmacotherapy of nicotine dependence. Bupropion is an antidepressant that stimulates the release of a chemical called dopamine in the reward center area of ​​the brain that causes pleasure (Healthwise, 2009). When an individual smokes, dopamine is released. Bupropion therefore has the same effect but without the nicotine. Bupropion suppresses a person's urge to smoke. Some common side effects are weight loss, nausea, and headache. A more serious side effect is suicidal thoughts and seizures (Healthwise, 2009). Bupropion is a good use to help reduce a smoker's appetite. However, when used in conjunction with nicotine replacement therapy, ph...... middle of paper ......active drugs for pharmacotherapy to treat opioid dependence. However, these drugs are addictive and it will take some time for an individual to slowly stop using them and prevent withdrawal symptoms. ReferencesArias, MD, AJ and Kranzler, MD, HR (nd). Treatment of concurrent substance use disorders. Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh312/155-167.htmCapuzzi, D. and Stauffer, M.D. (2008). Foundations of Addiction Counseling. Boston, MA: Pearson Education. Colker, A.C. (2004). Pharmacotherapeutic treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction: overview and bibliography. Retrieved from http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14417Healthwise. (2009). Bupropion hydrochloride (Zyban) for smoking cessation. Retrieved from WebMD website: http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/bupropion-hydrochloride-zyban-for-quitting-smoking