Drug addiction and drug abuse - Myths and Realities

Myth.
Addiction is a bad habit, the result of moral weakness and over indulgence.

Done
Addiction is a chronic life threatening disease such as hypertension, atherosclerosis and diabetes in adults.

Reality.
Genetics and drug abuse - Drug addiction has its roots in social circumstances and general feeling of personal behavior.

Reality.
Some drugs are addictive, fastbiochemical and structural changes in the brain. Others can be used for longer periods before starting the inevitable cravings and compulsive use of reason.

Myth
If an addict has enough willpower, or may stop abusing alcohol and drugs.

Reality.
Few people on alcohol and other drugs can not simply be used, regardless of the strength of your inner will of dependence. Most of the need to reduce one or more cycles of structured treatment for substance abuse orTo end its addiction to alcohol and other drugs.

Myth.
Many people relapse, so treatment obviously does not work.

Done
Like any other medical treatment, drug treatment can not guarantee the health of all life. Relapse, often a part of the recovery process and you can always try, even if the person fails to perfect abstinence, addiction treatment can reduce the number of relapses and duration to minimize problemssuch as crime and poor overall health, improve people's ability to function in daily life and strengthen the individual to face the temptation that is better or greed. These improvements reduce the social and economic costs of addiction.

Myth
We are accustomed to limit what we can do to sell the drug.

Done
The more we learn about addiction, the effectiveness of drugs, such as salvage treatment programs. Matching services to most customers who need it, while supporting the continued participation and focusing on the treatment is essential. Today, treatment providers are more likely than ever.

Recommendations for the pharmacological treatment

Substance abuse contributes significantly to the law of the country's health care. Studies show that access and adequate drug treatment is the most effective way to improve health and mitigate the authors> Drug-related health costs.

The health care costs of substance abuse.

Approximately one third of AIDS cases related to drug injection, and 90 percent of AIDS cases are related to maternal exposure pedantic HIV.

treated alcoholics occur in health care costs in general, at least 100 percent more than non-alcoholic beverages. More than 5 percent (221,000) of the 4 million women who give birth each year, illegal drugs duringPregnancy, at a cost of $ 48,000 to $ 150,000 for each shipment.

Drug treatment reduced the rates of hospitalization by 38 percent. Hospital admissions for drug overdose treatment was reduced by 58 percent between the two.

Minnesota Alcohol and DEA reported savings of $ 22 million annual health care for the treatment of drug abuse and beatings.