Why the Polarizing of Addiction Professionals Regarding Abstinence versus Harm Reduction Therapy is so Absurd
Journal Title: Journal of Addiction Medicine and Therapeutic Science - Year 2016, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
During the past 20 years I’ve been in practice, I have found that all addiction treatments are, in fact, some form of harm reduction. We’ve yet to find an infallible treatment for addictions and substance use disorders. However, the change in the DSM terminology is very significant. It differentiates diagnoses of substance abuse and chemical dependency from its evolved diagnosis of substance use disorder - mild, moderate or severe. Those with severe diagnoses (co-morbidity involving diabetes, liver damage, severe psychiatric conditions, dementia, legal, etc) would certainly be appropriate candidates for abstinence over moderation. But as I see it, at the end of the day, from moderation to abstinence it’s all harm reduction.
Authors and Affiliations
Stern Scott W
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP322751
- DOI 10.17352/2455-3484.000012
- Views 99
- Downloads 0
Substance Use among Adolescents in Spain: A Brief Report
Introduction: The consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs is a worldwide public health problem of great social impact when it affects adolescents. Aims: Evaluate the data published by official statements in Spain regard...
The Opioid Epidemic: Can We Reverse The Historical Trend?
Opium derived from the condensed juice of the poppy, Papaver Somniferum, has been used as an analgesic, euphoric, and soporific for centuries. The use of opium use goes back 6000 years to China. It was initially cultivat...
Tramadol Dependency Treatment: A New Approach
Background: Tramadol induced disorder is a new problem. Objective: To explain the efficacy of low dose of clonidine, baclofen and ibuprofen (NSAID) in the treatment of severe and chronic tramadol dependency (2000 mg dail...
Update on Opioid Addiction for Perioperative and Critical Unit Care: Anaesthesiologists Perspective
Drug addiction remains a challenge in perioperative management for a surgical procedure for anaesthesiologists. Anesthesiologists are increasingly encountering patients with current or previous history of drug abuse in t...
Buprenorphine Maintenance for Opioid Dependence in Public Sector Healthcare: Benefits and Barriers
Background: Since its U.S. FDA approval in 2002, buprenorphine has been available for maintenance treatment of opiate dependence in primary care physicians’ offices. Though buprenorphine was intended to facilitate access...