Addiction medicine

About: Addiction medicine is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1070 publications have been published within this topic receiving 23685 citations.

The Perception of Various Physician Specialists on Addiction Treatment Methods in Latvia

Abstract: Introduction: Many different addiction treatment methods are available in Latvia such as: Evidence-based Psychosocial Interventions (common elsewhere in the world), Opioid Substitution Therapy, and methods popular in the Soviet times (which are not evidence-based). These latter Soviet methods demonstrate the doctor's denial of addiction as an illness and promote "magical thinking" in patients. Aim: of this study was to research the knowledge of various physician specialists on available addiction treatment methods in Latvia and how these methods have been promoted and practiced. Material and methods: A survey developed by the author was used in this study. There were 586 various physician specialists surveyed; their mean age was 46.8 ± 10.8 years. Female were 78% of the respondents. Results: The methods that the doctors were most informed about were Detoxification (96.8%), the Suggestion method without medication intake (86.3%) and the Minnesota program (83.6%). Most often, the doctors suggested the Minnesota program (60.4%) and Detoxification (60.2%) to their patients. A third of the respondents (30.7%) practiced detoxification. Conclusion: The physicians questioned were best informed on acute addiction treatment. Nevertheless, when referring to the bio-psycho-social addiction model, the doctor's knowledge on evidence-based treatment methods for addiction still needed improvement.

The evolution of addiction medicine and its San Francisco roots.

Abstract: When President Barack Obama signed health care re­ form legislation in March 2010, which in effect contained the principle that health care is a right for all American citizens, he also legitimized the concept that addiction is a chronic disease and its treatment can not, by law, be discriminatory. The road to this landmark legislation as it relates to addic­ tion medicine and the treatment of addictive disease is long and complex, with one of its major roots originating in San Francisco. On May 2, 2009 , the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) and Nora Volkow, M .D. , Director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse , conferred Board certification on nearly 1 500 physicians (myself included), representing a wide range of specialties . In her address at this ceremony held during the annual meeting of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), Dr. Volkow stated that \"years of scientific research have proven drug addiction is a brain disease caused by biological, environmental and development factors-a disease which can have far-reaching medical consequences . . . . Given the proper training, tools and resources, physicians can be the first line of defense against substance abuse and addiction . Identifying drug use early, preventing its escalation to abuse and addiction, and referring patients in need of treatment are important medical skills\" (Kunz & Gentilello 2009) . Almont 300 physicians attended the California Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM) annual conference in San Francisco in early October 2009, \"Addiction Medicine: State of the Art 2009 Pathways to Addiction and Recovery.\" Via live

'Medicamenteuze interventies bij drugverslaving'; een advies van de Gezondheidsraad

Abstract: Addiction is a relapsing brain disease with a tendency towards chronicity. Biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors play a role in the onset and course of this disease. The Health Council of the Netherlands has issued a report on pharmacotherapeutic interventions. The treatment of addiction should be regarded as a medical intervention. A growing number of effective pharmacotherapies are becoming available for the treatment of heroin addiction, although not all of those are available in the Netherlands. Currently, no effective pharmacotherapies are available for the treatment of cocaine addiction. In polydrug addicts, pharmacotherapeutic interventions should be directed at the various separate addictions. In the majority of cases pharmacotherapy is part of an integrated treatment approach in which supportive psychosocial interventions are also important. The long-term continuation of treatment is usually indicated. The Health Council recommends that addiction physicians be put in charge of the multidisciplinary treatment. Medical schools should pay attention to the practical aspects of the treatment and management of addicts. The organisation and workforce of addiction treatment services should comply with the demands that are placed upon healthcare services. Public information campaigns about addiction and the treatment options for addicts can contribute to the destigmatisation of this patient category.