Substance Abuse and Dependence Health Article

Expected results

After a person has successfully withdrawn from substance use, the even more difficult task of recovery begins. Recovery refers to the lifelong efforts of a person to avoid returning to substance use. The craving can be so strong even years and years after initial withdrawal that a previously addicted person is in danger of slipping back into substance use. Triggers for such a relapse include any number of life stresses (problems on the job or in the marriage, loss of a relationship, death of a loved one, financial stresses), in addition to seemingly mundane exposure to a place or an acquaintance associated with previous substance use. While some people remain in counseling indefinitely as a way of maintaining contact with a professional who can help monitor behavior, others find that various support groups or 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are most helpful in monitoring the recovery process and avoiding relapse.

Another important aspect of treatment for substance abuse concerns the inclusion of close family members in treatment. Because substance abuse has severe effects on the functioning of the family, and because research shows that family members can unintentionally develop behaviors that inadvertently serve to support a person's substance habit, most good treatment will involve all family members.

Prevention

Prevention is best aimed at teenagers, who are at very high risk for substance experimentation. Education regarding the risks and consequences of substance use, as well as teaching methods of resisting peer pressure, are both important components of a prevention program. Furthermore, it is important to identify children at higher risk for substance abuse (including victims of physical or sexual abuse; children of parents who have a history of substance abuse, especially alcohol; and children with school failure and/or attention deficit disorder). These children will require a more intensive prevention program. A 2002 report demonstrated that prevention programs worked with high-risk youth in reducing rates of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use.

BOOKS

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1994.

O'Brien, C.P. "Drug Abuse and Dependence." In Cecil Textbook of Medicine, edited by J. Claude Bennett and Fred Plum. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1996.

PERIODICALS

Imperio, Winnie A. "Substance Abuse Prevention Works." Clinical Psychiatry News (March 2002):41.

"Inhalant Use More Popular than Ecstasy, OxyContin." Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly (March 25, 2002):8.

Margolin, Arthur, et al. "Acupuncture for the Treatment of Cocaine Addiction: A Randomized Controlled Trial." JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association (January 2, 2002):55–59.

Monroe, Judy. "Recognizing Signs of Drug Abuse." Current Health (September 1996):16+.

O'Brien, Charles P. and A. Thomas McLellan. "Addiction Medicine." Journal of the American Medical Association (18 June 1997): 1840+.

"Qigong Therapy Evaluated for Detoxification." The Brown University Digest of Addiction Theory and Application (March 2002):S1.

Rivara, et al. "Alcohol and Illicit Drug Abuse and the Risk of Violent Death in the Home." Journal of the American Medical Association (20 August 1997): 569+.

Savage, Lorraine. "Grant to Study Acupuncture's Effectiveness on Patients Suffering from Substance Abuse." Healthcare Review (March 19, 2002): 16.

"Survey Finds Rise in Ecstasy Use Among Teens." Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly. (February 25, 2002): 3.

ORGANIZATIONS

Al-Anon, Alanon Family Group, Inc. P.O. Box 862, Midtown Station, New York, NY 10018-0862. (800) 356-9996. http://www.recovery.org/aa.

Alcoholics Anonymous. World Service Organization. P.O. Box 459, New York, NY 10163. (212) 870-3400. http://www.aa.org.

National Alliance On Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. 12 West 21st St., New York, NY 10010. (212) 206-6770.

OTHER

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information. http://www.health.org.

Parent Resources and Information for Drug Education (PRIDE). 10 Park Place South, Suite 340, Atlanta, GA 30303. (800) 853-7867 or (404) 577-4500.

Paula Ford-Martin

Teresa G. Odle