Discussion—Integrating Pharmacotherapy in Treatment

While numerous psychotherapeutic methods for treating substance abuse are available, some patients also utilize pharmacotherapy to assist them in their recovery.

Using the module readings, Argosy University online library resources, and other scholarly resources from the Internet, evaluate the integration of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of substance use disorders. Then, respond to the following questions:

• What are the costs and benefits of combining pharmacotherapy with psychotherapy in the treatment of substance use disorders? 
• How does abstinence apply to those users who are taking replacement therapy such as methadone maintenance or nicotine replacement treatments? 
• What counseling theories will work best alongside pharmacotherapies for substance use disorders?

Write your initial response in approximately 300–400 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.