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      Drug dependence, a chronic medical illness: implications for treatment, insurance, and outcomes evaluation.

      1 , , ,
      JAMA
      American Medical Association (AMA)

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          Abstract

          The effects of drug dependence on social systems has helped shape the generally held view that drug dependence is primarily a social problem, not a health problem. In turn, medical approaches to prevention and treatment are lacking. We examined evidence that drug (including alcohol) dependence is a chronic medical illness. A literature review compared the diagnoses, heritability, etiology (genetic and environmental factors), pathophysiology, and response to treatments (adherence and relapse) of drug dependence vs type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and asthma. Genetic heritability, personal choice, and environmental factors are comparably involved in the etiology and course of all of these disorders. Drug dependence produces significant and lasting changes in brain chemistry and function. Effective medications are available for treating nicotine, alcohol, and opiate dependence but not stimulant or marijuana dependence. Medication adherence and relapse rates are similar across these illnesses. Drug dependence generally has been treated as if it were an acute illness. Review results suggest that long-term care strategies of medication management and continued monitoring produce lasting benefits. Drug dependence should be insured, treated, and evaluated like other chronic illnesses. JAMA. 2000;284:1689-1695.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          JAMA
          JAMA
          American Medical Association (AMA)
          0098-7484
          0098-7484
          Oct 04 2000
          : 284
          : 13
          Affiliations
          [1 ] The Treatment Research Institute, 150 S Independence Mall W, Suite 600, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3475, USA. tmclellan@tresearch.org
          Article
          jsc00024
          10.1001/jama.284.13.1689
          11015800
          94c6405b-c499-404b-9ebc-4670d2576859
          History

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