Addiction is a treatable disease, not a moral failing

• Published in: The Western journal of medicine Vol. 172; no. 1; p. 63
• Main Authors: Matano, Robert A, Wanat, Stanley F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Copyright 2000 BMJ publishing Group 01.01.2000; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Addictions; Alcohol; Attitude of Health Personnel; Female; Humans; Infant; Medical personnel; Morals; Physicians; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - psychology; Pregnancy Complications - rehabilitation; Stereotyping; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Substance-Related Disorders - rehabilitation
• ISSN: 0093-0415; 1476-2978
• DOI: 10.1136/ewjm.172.1.63

Approximately 1 in 5 outpatients seeking primary care and 1 in 4 hospital patients are dependent on alcohol; yet, only about 1 in 7 people who are dependent on alcohol are ever treated. 5 A study at a number of mainly urban hospitals found that approximately 1 in 9 infants evaluated had been exposed to illegal drugs in utero. 6 Unintended pregnancies are one of the consequences for female substance misuser who exchange sex for drugs. Physicians rate doctor-patient communication on substance misuse as extremely important but rate their own related training and skills dramatically lower; cross-cultural and gender issues add to the challenge. 9 Training programs for health professionals devote too little time to substance misuse, leaving clinicians ill equipped to deal with this widespread health problem.