40 years of developments in addiction medicine: A few points of reference

Curing a substance use disorder or a biopsychosocial illness seems like a challenge—even a paradox! But the extent of the damage caused by substances or by addiction is a powerful stimulus for research. Forty to fifty years of addiction research in France have yielded only a few medications, often with partial and disappointing effects. Substitution treatments (nicotine and opiates) are the only ones to date that consistently demonstrate an improvement in quality of life and a reduction in harm. We have attempted to highlight all the medications that have been or are still available in this field, as well as realistic prospects. It is crucial to emphasize the importance of comprehensive care—of which medication sometimes represents only a small part—in order to welcome, support, and improve the lives of users who consult specialist teams.