Nature of the problem: Addiction as a chronic disorder (part 3)

In this Briefing, it is emphasised that we must be careful how we communicate the message about the chronic nature of addiction.

‘Appropriate treatment for chronic addiction is not simply a succession of short term detoxifications or treatment stays. Appropriate continuing care requires personal commitment to long term change, dedication to self management, community and family support and monitoring.’

Nature of the problem: Addiction as a chronic disorder (part 2)

In this Briefing, we continue to focus on a major problem: while addiction resembles other chronic disorders, society uses an acute model of care for treatment.

The striking similarities between severe substance use problems and chronic medical disorders do not imply that similar disease processes underlie these disorders. However, it does strongly suggest that we should be using chronic or continuing care strategies for substance addiction that resemble those used for other chronic medical disorders.

‘Importantly, the acute care model sets the field (and individuals) up to fail. This erodes long-term societal confidence in addiction treatment as a social institution.’