This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Morton, W. A. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Chemical Dependence: A Look at What Does and Doesn't Work

Pharmacists are often unprepared to become actively clinically involved with patients in chemical dependence treatment programs. This article discusses problems frequently encountered with these patients and provides potential solutions to detriments in addressing their needs. A practitioner needs to develop credibility with patients, understand the neurochemistry of addictions, and understand the main concepts that maintain addictive disorders. Non-drug alternatives need to be understood and offered to recovering patients instead of immediately relying on pharmacological treatments. Issues regarding dual diagnoses, pain management, nicotine cessation, and concurrent medical problems are discussed. Essential treatment concerns, such as a practitioner's "philosophy of treat ment," concept of 12-step groups, the natural course of addiction, and recognizing impaired health professionals are addressed. The author offers suggestions for becoming successfully involved in a chemical dependency treatment program. Copyright © 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company

Journal of Pharmacy Practice, Vol. 9, No. 2, 147-154 (1996)
DOI: 10.1177/089719009600900212


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?