strategy
Treating drug addiction
Synonyms:
Treating drug addictsRehabilitating drug victims
Applying psychopharmacology
Implementation:
In November 1997, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a Consensus Panel on Effective Medical Treatment of Heroin Addiction. The panel of national experts concluded that opiate drug addictions are diseases of the brain and medical disorders that indeed can be treated effectively. The panel strongly recommended (1) broader access to methadone maintenance treatment programs for people who are addicted to heroin or other opiate drugs; and (2) the Federal and State regulations and other barriers impeding this access be eliminated. This panel also stressed the importance of providing substance abuse counseling, psychosocial therapies, and other supportive services to enhance retention and successful outcomes in methadone maintenance treatment programs.There are many effective behavioral treatments available for heroin addiction. These can include residential and outpatient approaches. Several new behavioral therapies are showing particular promise for heroin addiction. Con tingency management therapy uses a voucher- based system, where patients earn "points" based on negative drug tests, which they can exchange for items that encourage healthful living. Cognitive-behavioral interventions are designed to help modify the patient's thinking, expectancies, and behaviors and to increase skills in coping with various life stressors.
Claim:
Brain-imaging studies of other disorders show behaviour therapy, not just medications, can actually change brain patterns to ease illness. Narrower:
Treating alcoholismProviding methadoneStabilizing drug addictsApplying behavioural therapyTreating drug abuse and alcohol dependency of the aged Values:
Addiction Organizations:
International Organization for World Peace, Disarmament, Development and Human Rights United Nations International Drug Control Programme Subjects:
Action → ApplicationSocietal Problems → Victims
Societal Problems → Addiction, drug abuse
Health Care → Pharmacy
Health Care → Psychiatry
Health Care → Rehabilitation
Type Classification:
E: Emanations of other strategies Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
