Opinion: There is no single, simple solution to the complex problem of addiction.
The issue of drug abuse has received particular attention in the media recently, with personal and family testimonies highlighting the impact of heroin addiction.
As someone with more than 20 years’ experience of treating drug users both in the UK and Ireland, I get anxious when I hear people suggesting simple solutions to this complex problem; that abstinence is the one and only path to redemption for those who are addicted to drugs.
Experience shows that abstinence, while desirable, is often not achievable. Our main health priority should be to keep a drug user alive and safe from the significant health harms associated with drug abuse. Numerous research studies in many jurisdictions confirm that replacing heroin with methadone has been shown to do just that.
Underlying issues
Drug users come from all walks of life and all types of families. Some are born suffering withdrawals from drugs or alcohol their mothers have abused. That is a tough start in life. Other users have complex problems that stem from underlying mental health issues, childhood experiences of sexual or physical abuse, social deprivation, or a family history of addiction.
Criminality is another important aspect of the problem, with drug-related crimes accounting for a large proportion of custodial sentences in Irish prisons. To suggest that there is one simple solution to solve the challenges of drug abuse is at best naive. At worst it is potentially dangerous.
A comprehensive assessment by experienced professionals will help to establish which treatment option should work best for an individual drug user. I see a lot of patients who have multiple addictions and it can be challenging to help them to stabilise safely.
Patient safety is a key issue, as detoxing can be a dangerous time. While most drug users aspire to eventually being drug-free, many will have unsuccessfully tried going “cold turkey” before presenting for treatment. For these people, methadone is a safe, well-documented treatment option which gives a drug user an opportunity to stay alive and regain their health.
Source: Íde Delargy, Irish Times, 29/05/13
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