Drug Addiction and Alcoholism; A Treatable Illness

Drug addiction and alcohol addiction are comparable to chronic illnesses like diabetes, asthma, and hypertension, and should be treated as such,according to an article published in a year 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Authors Thomas McLellan, Ph.D., and Herbert D. Kleber, M.D., conducted a literature review of those illnesses, revealing that there are underlying similarities between drug addiction, alcohol addiction and chronic diseases. Yet, say the researchers, drug addiction is typically treated as if it is an acute condition. Altering perceptions to think of drug addiction as a chronic illness may change the way it is treated and insured.

The researchers found that drug addiction and alcoholism shares many of the characteristics of other chronic illnesses. In the area of genetic heritability, for example, studies of monozygotic and dizygotic twins have found heritability estimates of .25 to .50 for hypertension; .80 for type 2 and .30 for type 1 diabetes; and .36 to .70 for asthma. Heritability estimates for the drug addictions are similar, ranging from .34 for heroin dependence, .55 for alcoholism, .52 for marijuana dependence, and .61 for dependence on cigarettes.

Typically, both medical professionals and the general public view drug abuse as voluntary activities. That people choose to use drugs seems to set drug addiction and alcohol adidiction apart from other chronic illnesses. Yet, there are many chronic illnesses in which voluntary choice affects initiation and maintenance of disease. Salt sensitivity, obesity, stress level, and physical inactivity, all within voluntary control, are important factors in the development of hypertension.

Drug addiction and alcoholism also resembles other chronic illnesses in regard to treatment response. The course that an drug addiction takes if left untreated is an important issue in this regard. Studies comparing treated and untreated populations of addicts have typically shown that untreated, addictions do not remit.

At this time there is no reliable "cure" for drug addiction and alcohol addiction. Typically, addicts who remain in addiction treatment and who attend follow-up have superior outcomes compared with those who do not. If you are looking for an effective drug addiction treatment program or alcohol rehab, call the national addiction treatment helpline, 1-800-511-9225 or go to www.lakeviewhealth.com.

Jonathan Huttner is a principal with Laeview Health Systems, which operates a drug rehab and alcohol rehab with compoents for dual diagnosis treatment and GLBT.

Alcoholism and Drug Addiction
Many people don't really consider alcohol a drug. After all, it is legal to drink - as long as you're of age. But the real truth is that alcoholism ...

Drug Rehab, Recovery and the Pink Cloud
Is it a myth or reality, fact or fiction? The pink cloud is an experience common to almost everyone that seeks recovery from drug addiction or alcohol...

A Drug Rehab and Dual Diagnosis Treatment
National statistics have shown that drug addicts and alcoholics who attend a long term addiction treatment and drug rehab programs, where their dual d...

How to Choose a Drug Rehab or Alcohol Rehab Program
Drug addiction is defined as "the compulsive use of psychoactive drugs, to the point where the user has no effective choice but to continue use." Drug...

Alcohol and Drug Rehab: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is the most common diagnosis among adults in the United States today. It is estimated...

Choosing a Drug Rehab Program in Maryland
Drug Rehab Programs in MarylandThere are hundreds upon hundreds of drug rehab programs in Maryland that claim they provide the most effective addictio...

The Importance Of Looking For The Right Drug Rehab Programs
There are many different kinds of alcohol and drug rehab programs. A few of them you'll find at large hospitals or clinics and are in many cases attac...

Warning Signs Of Alcoholism - Are You A Victim Of It?
Alcohol abuse and Alcoholism though seem to have the same meaning, yet they are quite different from each other. A person abusing alcohol might not be...

LGBT Population Deserves Effective New York Drug Rehab
Yes, there is a large LGBT population in New York and yes, there is quite a variety of gay healthcare services available in New York and neighboring N...

Drug Rehab and Dual Diagnosis Treatment For You
Dual Diagnosis Information Dual diagnosis means that a person has two different illnesses. They have a mental health or behavioral condition, and they...

Objective Of Drug Rehab, Alcohol Rehab and Dual Diagnosis Programs
The main objective of drug rehab programs is to free you from the bondage of drug abuse and alcoholism. These programs help you to discover newer ways...

Alcohol Or Drug Addiction Treatment - How Do They Work?
Depending on the specifics of the addiction, alcohol or drug addiction treatment can take many different forms. The exact treatment used depends on th...

How to Choose Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment
In today's world, the effects of alcohol and drug addiction on the individual are great and the cumulative effects on our society are staggering. It h...

The Definition Of Drug Addiction
Even though drug addiction is a complex disease, assigning a definition for that disease is actually quite simple. Drug addiction is, in its simplest...

The Stages Of Alcoholism - Identifying Which Stage Your Loved One Is At
Like most diseases, alcoholism comes in different stages. There is early stage, middle stage and end stage alcoholism.Early stage alcoholism or what...