Drug Dependence is a chronic relapsing condition and therefore abstinence should be the only treatment goal.Discuss

Discussion : Drug Dependence Is A Chronic Relapsing Condition And Therefore Abstinence Should Be The Only Treatment Goal

Introduction

Regardless of what people may experience as positive effects of drugs and alcohol , they both have negative effects on our health and ability to function , especially when used repeatedly . This recurrent use may result in a substance use dis . There are two substance use diss - abuse and dependence . Substance abuse is defined entirely on the criterion of impairment . If someone 's repeated use of a substance causes significant impairment in even one area

of life , he can be described as a substance abuser (American Psychiatric Association 1994

Symptoms

Common impairments include , failure to fulfill major role obligations for example being constantly late to or absent from work recurrent use in dangerous situations , for instance while driving frequent substance-related legal problems , such as , arrests for disly conduct and social and interpersonal problems leading to conflict with partner or other family members . Substance dependence is indicated by physical or psychological dependence or addiction . By physical dependence , it means tolerance , that is , the need for increased amounts of the substance or diminished effect with same amount and withdrawal signifying the experience of physical symptoms when the substance is stopped or turning to another substance to relieve or avoid those symptoms (American Psychiatric Association , 1995

Psychological dependence is indicated by taking substances in larger amounts or over longer periods of time than intended , a persistent desire to use or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use spending a great deal of time trying to obtain , use or recover from the substance , giving up important activities , and continued use , despite knowledge of a problem that is exacerbated by the substance (Koob , G and Kreek , M .J , 2007

Course of the Illness

Substance abuse and dependence can be chronic , progressive , or degenerative problems with severe negative outcomes , but the course they take is extremely variable , depending on the substance being used Alcoholism especially can have tragic outcomes including health problems , interpersonal problems , and suffering , culminating in early death . People who use substances frequently will often use more than one kind of substance . Substance diss can begin at any age and are becoming more prevalent , particularly among adolescents . Although most adult substance abusers began using in adolescence , most adolescents who try drugs do not always progress to severe abuse thus experimentation or adventurism does not necessarily lead to lifelong addiction or adverse consequences . Some people with substance use diss show remission , especially late in life , but relapse is frequent particularly in response to high-risk situations , such as negative emotional states , social pressure , and interpersonal conflicts Unfortunately , because of the high relapse rates , few people fully recover from substance dependence diss (American Psychiatric Association , 1995

Treatment Process

Dependency that results from addiction tends to worsen over time and become progressive if left untreated . Generally , it is a long-term condition and chronic , not a brief episode . An underlying psychiatric condition may predispose to this , but it is not a resultant...