Pubdate: Sat, 28 Dec 2002
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2002 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Author: Hector D. Barreto, M.D.

A LEGAL FIX?

Regarding Monday's article "Law may help drug addicts": I take strong 
exception to the initial sentence on an otherwise informative article: 
"Drug addicts soon could get a legal fix from their family physician." This 
unfortunate choice of words perpetuates the myth that medications used to 
treat addictions are merely substituting one drug for another.

The term "fix" refers to an addict's compulsive use of a drug in order to 
get high and avoid withdrawal symptoms. Medication treatment of addictive 
disorders seeks to correct brain-chemistry changes that occur after years 
of abuse with repeated episodes of intoxication and withdrawal. There are 
several medications that have been found to be helpful in the treatment of 
addictive disorders, but these are tools that must be used wisely in the 
context of a comprehensive recovery program. No one medication is 
appropriate for everybody, and the choice of which medication, if any, to 
use must be made on a case-by-case basis.

Perpetuating the "fix" stereotype is the last thing the addict needs. 
Instead, the engagement of the addict into effective treatment, with or 
without medications as deemed appropriate, is what ultimately will make a 
difference.

Hector D. Barreto, M.D. is an Addiction Medicine Specialist
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens