Frontline Addiction Services

P ADDICTS CURABLE IF SOCIETY WILL MAKE THE COMMITMENT

Recently the Herald has drawn attention to the damage
methamphetamines cause to people and society. The stories told have
been traumatic accounts of woe and self-destruction.

The P problem is frightening but those who work in addiction
treatment say the situation is not hopeless.

Methamphetamines are a major concern for alcohol and drug treatment
providers and the costs to society of this and other drug abuse are
extremely high. They include poor health, family violence, random
aggression, chronic welfare dependency, lost productivity, and
criminal behaviour.

After long-term use people who abuse methamphetamines can develop a
stereotyped behaviour, including paranoia and aggression. Those
unwilling to seek treatment often turn up in the workload of police,
criminal justice and medical emergency departments.

Many addicts come to alcohol and drug services with major problems
after chronic bingeing on methamphetamines, often in combination with
other drugs and alcohol. In many cases they wait until the
consequences of their use have become so severe that they feel backed
into a corner.

So what are we to do? Treatment of methamphetamine addiction is no
different from the treatment of any other addiction. Commitment to
change, support from family and peers, and therapeutic interventions
based on good evidence are the key ingredients to a successful outcome.

Helping addicts become drug-free is only the first step, however.
They also need support in staying drug free.

Recovery demands substantial changes in lifestyle, taking personal
responsibility and learning to deal with life on life's terms. A
range of treatment interventions can assist people to make these
changes. For some this may include a period in a residential
therapeutic community where, for 24 hours a day, they are in an
environment that helps them take more responsibility.

For others, regular counselling, positive peer support, help from
their families and churches, and sometimes pharmacological
interventions assist them in recovery.

Active participation by the addict and his or her family is
essential. Research shows long-term successful recovery includes:
Being free of illegal drug use, replacing drug use and illegal
activities with pro-social activities. Also real accountability for
behaviour to a person who has knowledge about the process of recovery
(for example to a Narcotics Anonymous sponsor, alcohol and drug
counsellor, probation officer, priest, police officer, general
practitioner or elder). And the development of a spiritual or ethical
outlook on life.

Research also tells us that no single form of therapy is successful
in all cases. However, ease of access to treatment and a
compassionate and engaging style of interacting by the professional
are essential no matter what approach is taken. Addressing a range of
immediate needs and developing a clear plan on how they will be
further addressed are more effective in the early stages of
engagement than in-depth soul-searching for the "causes of addiction".

In the real world there is no instant miracle cure for addiction and
for many the process of recovery will be a story of disappointments
and successes, particularly in the first year.

Abstinence can be difficult to maintain initially, but a harm
minimisation approach may achieve important steps towards it.
Avoiding becoming infected by Aids or hepatitis, for example, is an
important achievement, particularly for the addict's children and family.

Finding appropriate housing, improving childcare, and disengaging
from criminal activities all contribute to a foundation of recovery.

Waging war on those who import and manufacture methamphetamines may
make some impact. Waging war on addicts and their families won't.

The "war on drugs' approach only serves to marginalise and demonise
those afflicted with addiction and often decreases their chances for
rehabilitation.

Around 1100 professionals work in the alcohol and drug sector in New
Zealand, including nurses, medical officers, psychiatrists,
counsellors, cultural workers and psychologists.

Around 10 per cent of those seeking help through alcohol and drug
services have problems with methamphetamines (75 per cent of cases
are alcohol related). Better alignment between the criminal justice
and alcohol and drug rehabilitation services is required, in
particular to target those who are not interested in dealing with
their addiction.

Treatment provides an alternative to jail for addicts who want to
make the hard calls and stop using. It also is more humane and
cost-efficient for the public. Every dollar spent intervening early
saves an estimated $5 in healthcare costs down the line.

The Government's stated commitment to addiction treatment and
prevention is welcome news and we encourage it to make good on that
commitment. Recession or not, the incredible personal and social
costs of methamphetamine and other addictions mean this is a problem
we cannot afford to ignore.

If you need to find out about alcohol and drug treatment services
near you, please call the Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797.

The frontline addiction services who contributed to this piece included:

Robert Steenhuisen, manager, Community Alcohol and Drug Services
Auckland; Chris Kalin, CEO, Odyssey House; Tim Harding, CEO, Care NZ;
Cate Kearney, CEO, Alcohol Drug Helpline; Alcohol Drug Association
NZ; Lynette Hutson, national manager, Addictions and Supportive
Accommodation; The Salvation Army; Ross Bell, executive director, NZ
Drug Foundation.