The struggle with heroin addiction has been an ongoing one of urgency since its particular rise in popularity broke loose in the late 1960’s. Recent claims have been made in terms of a major breakthrough in treating heroin and morphine addicts. These research claims, which stems from researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia collaborating with colleagues at the University of Colorado, are apparently saying they think they’re onto something in terms of “blocking” said addictions. The claims go into further detail, saying that the drug known as plus-naloxone allegedly can selectively “block” the immune-addiction response. However, the proof remains pretty unclear in regards to these quite general assertions.

Furthermore, it seems like utilizing a drug to essentially cover up the problem of heroin or morphine addiction wouldn’t be the correct route, taking into consideration that methadone is of a highly addictive nature and is already being used for the claimed purposes. What makes plus-naloxone any different or better? What’s the difference? In fact there was no mention of methadone at all, which seems a bit remiss. Also, the powerfully destructive drugs such as heroin and morphine generally take its toll on the user’s body, namely that of an addict’s, and who’s to say that the further drugging of these individuals isn’t going to complicate the already deficient/deteriorated and dented health of these people. In fact, the long term effects that burden a current or past heroin user are things like insomnia, loss of appetite, constipation, bad teeth, respiratory illnesses, sometimes partial paralysis or muscular weakness and last but not least: a lowered immune system. It’s safe to say that a person trying to beat addiction is already in pretty bad shape and why would or should we go ahead and complicate the predicament with even further drugging.

Additionally, a significant factor in the overcoming of addiction seems to be lifestyle change. Lifestyle change is actually a major role if somebody wants to really get better and put down the needle. Looking at the bigger picture it just seems like, no matter what, it’s still a matter of cold hard addiction in every aspect and connotation of the word. Therefore, it would seem impossible to “block” addiction. They even go further to make the claim that this drug can probably treat any addiction. The very concept of this drug is actually sort of vague-ridden. Addiction, in general, rides on a slippery slope and discipline plus lifestyle change overrides any of the medications such as methadone with said intended purposes. Also, when digging a bit further, wouldn’t a true addict, (somebody who evidently revels in the high and even in the anticipation of the high), avoid this type of treatment if he or she could? It would seem like an obvious issue to take a look at. Besides, is the continuous drugging of the patient really getting down to the core of the user’s addiction? In conclusion it seems like, along with methadone, a potential waste of time in terms of effective treatment.