[Are there new methods in therapy of drug dependence?].

Abstract

The therapy of drug addicts must not be confused with measures to reduce drug problems. Therapy means medical care for the treatment of a disease. In the treatment of drug addiction, we apply pharmacological and psychological therapy but also psychosocial techniques to address the problems of an addict. Actions might contain causal, symptomatic, or palliative therapies according to the measures currently available. The choice of a treatment procedure in the frame of the available alternatives is oriented on the objective findings, the chance for success, and the patient's intentions. The therapy of the drug addiction is divided into the stages of contact, detoxification, weaning, and aftercare. We aim for a patient's living without consuming drugs and the ability to critically and socially deal with the reality. The break with the pleasure/reluctance principle and switching to the performance principle is crucial. We have success rates ranging between 20 and 40% over five years in the currently available treatment-facility. The substitution therapy is also available as an additional choice for a smaller group of addicts where we do without an abstinence. Naturally, this is a substitution with methadone and may only be a measure for prolonging life. The application of heroine has currently no foundation as it has no advantages to the administration of methadone. Therefore, we should focus mainly on abstinence orientated procedures and to keep the methadone substitution ready for a small group resistant to therapy.