Pubdate: Tue, 06 Feb 2001
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2001 San Jose Mercury News
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WHAT THE EXPERTS TELL US ABOUT TREATING ADDICTION

Given that substance abuse and addiction play such a prominent role in 
American society's biggest problems, from domestic violence to school 
dropout rates to AIDS, what do the experts say we should do?

A 1999 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association describes 
two general categories of drug users. The first is individuals, often 
adolescents, who use drugs for the pleasure they bring. The second group 
uses drugs to self-medicate depression or other mental problems. Either 
group can progress from use to abuse to addiction. In urging physicians to 
be on the alert for patients who need treatment, the article points out 
that treatment must address the reasons the person used drugs, alcohol etc. 
in the first place.

Sara West, a marriage and family therapist who practices in San Jose and 
Santa Cruz, believes one reason health professionals and elected officials 
are so slow to take a rational approach to addiction is that so many of 
them are themselves substance abusers or have close family members hooked 
on drugs or alcohol. Trapped in denial themselves, she suggested, they 
can't recognize that many people are genetically predisposed to addiction, 
that society pushes people into drinking and legal drugs, and that labeling 
addiction as purely a moral failure does no good.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse in 1997 described the greatest risk 
factors for children to become drug abusers. They are essentially the same 
factors that predispose children to other problems in life: chaotic home 
environments, parents with mental or substance abuse problems, poor 
parenting and a lack of nurturing relationships. In school, these children 
are often overly shy or aggressive, and perform poorly in classroom and 
social settings. The same report examined programs designed to help 
children avoid drug use. The "Life Skills Training Program'' and similar 
intensive, long-term approaches got the highest marks for actually 
decreasing drug use compared to students in other programs or no programs.

Mike Gorman, an assistant professor in San Jose State's College of Social 
Work, is principal investigator for a national study of methamphetamine use 
on the West Coast. Fresh research showing the cost-effectiveness of 
prevention and treatment leads him to cautious optimism that scientific 
findings will lead to greater resources being devoted to those areas.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has found that parent's involvement 
in children's daily lives, and their willingness to talk with their kids 
about drugs and other touchy subjects, makes a huge difference in whether 
youngsters use drugs in the crucial adolescent years. Teens and pre-teens, 
they found, say no to drugs, tobacco and alcohol when they perceive 
substance abuse as an uncommon and dangerous behavior and a disappointment 
to parents.
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