Pubdate: Fri, 29 May 2009
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2009 New Zealand Herald
Contact: http://info.nzherald.co.nz/letters/
Website: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

Frontline Addiction Services

P ADDICTS CURABLE IF SOCIETY WILL MAKE THE COMMITMENT

Recently the Herald has drawn attention to the damage 
methamphetamines cause to people and society. The stories told have 
been traumatic accounts of woe and self-destruction.

The P problem is frightening but those who work in addiction 
treatment say the situation is not hopeless.

Methamphetamines are a major concern for alcohol and drug treatment 
providers and the costs to society of this and other drug abuse are 
extremely high. They include poor health, family violence, random 
aggression, chronic welfare dependency, lost productivity, and 
criminal behaviour.

After long-term use people who abuse methamphetamines can develop a 
stereotyped behaviour, including paranoia and aggression. Those 
unwilling to seek treatment often turn up in the workload of police, 
criminal justice and medical emergency departments.

Many addicts come to alcohol and drug services with major problems 
after chronic bingeing on methamphetamines, often in combination with 
other drugs and alcohol. In many cases they wait until the 
consequences of their use have become so severe that they feel backed 
into a corner.

So what are we to do? Treatment of methamphetamine addiction is no 
different from the treatment of any other addiction. Commitment to 
change, support from family and peers, and therapeutic interventions 
based on good evidence are the key ingredients to a successful outcome.

Helping addicts become drug-free is only the first step, however. 
They also need support in staying drug free.

Recovery demands substantial changes in lifestyle, taking personal 
responsibility and learning to deal with life on life's terms. A 
range of treatment interventions can assist people to make these 
changes. For some this may include a period in a residential 
therapeutic community where, for 24 hours a day, they are in an 
environment that helps them take more responsibility.

For others, regular counselling, positive peer support, help from 
their families and churches, and sometimes pharmacological 
interventions assist them in recovery.

Active participation by the addict and his or her family is 
essential. Research shows long-term successful recovery includes: 
Being free of illegal drug use, replacing drug use and illegal 
activities with pro-social activities. Also real accountability for 
behaviour to a person who has knowledge about the process of recovery 
(for example to a Narcotics Anonymous sponsor, alcohol and drug 
counsellor, probation officer, priest, police officer, general 
practitioner or elder). And the development of a spiritual or ethical 
outlook on life.

Research also tells us that no single form of therapy is successful 
in all cases. However, ease of access to treatment and a 
compassionate and engaging style of interacting by the professional 
are essential no matter what approach is taken. Addressing a range of 
immediate needs and developing a clear plan on how they will be 
further addressed are more effective in the early stages of 
engagement than in-depth soul-searching for the "causes of addiction".

In the real world there is no instant miracle cure for addiction and 
for many the process of recovery will be a story of disappointments 
and successes, particularly in the first year.

Abstinence can be difficult to maintain initially, but a harm 
minimisation approach may achieve important steps towards it. 
Avoiding becoming infected by Aids or hepatitis, for example, is an 
important achievement, particularly for the addict's children and family.

Finding appropriate housing, improving childcare, and disengaging 
from criminal activities all contribute to a foundation of recovery.

Waging war on those who import and manufacture methamphetamines may 
make some impact. Waging war on addicts and their families won't.

The "war on drugs' approach only serves to marginalise and demonise 
those afflicted with addiction and often decreases their chances for 
rehabilitation.

Around 1100 professionals work in the alcohol and drug sector in New 
Zealand, including nurses, medical officers, psychiatrists, 
counsellors, cultural workers and psychologists.

Around 10 per cent of those seeking help through alcohol and drug 
services have problems with methamphetamines (75 per cent of cases 
are alcohol related). Better alignment between the criminal justice 
and alcohol and drug rehabilitation services is required, in 
particular to target those who are not interested in dealing with 
their addiction.

Treatment provides an alternative to jail for addicts who want to 
make the hard calls and stop using. It also is more humane and 
cost-efficient for the public. Every dollar spent intervening early 
saves an estimated $5 in healthcare costs down the line.

The Government's stated commitment to addiction treatment and 
prevention is welcome news and we encourage it to make good on that 
commitment. Recession or not, the incredible personal and social 
costs of methamphetamine and other addictions mean this is a problem 
we cannot afford to ignore.

If you need to find out about alcohol and drug treatment services 
near you, please call the Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797.

The frontline addiction services who contributed to this piece included:

Robert Steenhuisen, manager, Community Alcohol and Drug Services 
Auckland; Chris Kalin, CEO, Odyssey House; Tim Harding, CEO, Care NZ; 
Cate Kearney, CEO, Alcohol Drug Helpline; Alcohol Drug Association 
NZ; Lynette Hutson, national manager, Addictions and Supportive 
Accommodation; The Salvation Army; Ross Bell, executive director, NZ 
Drug Foundation.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom