Drug Dependence, a Chronic Medical Illness: Implications for Treatment, Insurance, and Outcomes Evaluation
Article Abstract:
Drug abuse should be treated like other chronic diseases, according to researchers who compared drug abuse, diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. Like diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, drug abuse has genetic and environmental causes, and has long-term health consequences.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2000
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The effects of psychosocial services in substance abuse treatment
Article Abstract:
Basic counseling and on-site support services may be more effective than methadone alone for the treatment of patients in a methadone maintenance program. Methadone maintenance therapy is used to treat individuals who are addicted to opiates such as heroin. Among 92 male intravenous opiate users participating in a methadone maintenance program, 32 were treated with a minimum dosage of 60 milligrams of methadone per day with no other services, 29 with the same dosage of methadone with basic counseling and 31 with the same dosage of methadone with basic counseling and on-site services. On-site services included medical, psychiatric, employment and family therapy. Sixty-nine percent of the patients treated with methadone alone were transferred out of the program because of continued drug abuse, compared with 41% of those who received basic counseling and 19% of those who received basic counseling and on-site support services.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1993
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Addiction medicine
Article Abstract:
Primary care physicians need to learn how to effectively screen patients for alcohol and drug abuse and to refer them to appropriate treatments. Naltrexone has been shown to be effective in treating alcohol abuse. It is an opiate antagonist that blocks the production of endorphins. Several behavioral therapies are also very effective in reducing alcohol use. However, research has shown that many people with drug and alcohol addictions are not treated. Physicians need to be knowledgable about the various treatments so they can tailor the approach to the individual patient.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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