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Going cold turkey is worth a try



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Published Date: 26 May 2008
WHAT part should abstinence programmes have in tackling drug addiction, and should the Scottish Government provide support? Such has been the remorseless increase in drug and alcohol abuse that the need for a radical rethink of strategy has become imperative.
Until recently, the prevailing wisdom has been that abstinence was impractical for drug addicts. Resorting to methadone became increasingly common, on the grounds that this at least helped to stabilise addicts. But methadone dependence has soared. Si...



The full article contains 219 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 25 May 2008 8:20 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Drugs policy
 
1

truth_in_knowledge,

USA 29/05/2008 21:11:58
Cold turkey is worth a try? How presumptuous to think those in Methadone treatment haven't tried to abstain with the use if medication. My heavens, it is even a requirement in many clinics that in addition to federally required one year minimum of active addiction that a history of at least 3 attempts have been made to recover through inpatient or outpatient non-methadone treatment programs. For most it is closer to 5-10 or more attempts. Most turn to Methadone as a last resort and I have never met anyone in treatment that would not have rather been able to quit without Methadone. It is just not an option for them! Just as many pain patients would rather have pain alleviated without medication.
Dr. Glen Hanson from University of Utah stated...
"In the past, the resulting suffering was considered a necessary part of rehabilitation. It was the punishment for having the moral flaw of being an addict.Today we understand that while detoxification is the necessary first step to recovery from drug addiction, there is no reason for the patient to suffer. In fact, allowing painful withdrawal decreases an addict's chances of recovery. To avoid withdrawal symptoms, today's doctors often give patients medication that makes them feel similar to being on the addictive drug and gradually reduce their dose over time. This stabilizes the person's brain long enough to get through the detoxification process. Examples of this type of treatment include methadone and LAAM for opiate withdrawal; nicotine replacement therapies (patch, gum) and bupropion for nicotine withdrawal; and benzodiazepine and anti-seizure drugs for barbiturate withdrawal."
Please look at these links from University of Utah...
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/addiction/issues/
&
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/addiction/issues/treatments.cfm
Abandoning years of research for popular belief is becoming a frightening reality for many addicts.

 

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