WHEN AN ADDICT FINISHES DETOX

To the Editor:

For homeless substance abusers undergoing detoxification, the
transition to a long-term treatment program strongly influences
whether they will stay clean.

Fumbling this transition increases the likelihood of a relapse, and
in my research this factor is especially significant for the
homeless. A return to the chaos of city streets typically lays waste
to well-intentioned plans for outpatient follow-up.

In studies of homeless substance abusers from Boston and Birmingham,
Ala., one treatment component consistently stands out as essential: a
roof. Unless New York assures its homeless a secure environment in
which to continue addiction treatment (and commits the necessary
funds), the revolving door of detoxification will continue to spin.

Stefan G. Kertesz, M.D.

Birmingham, Ala., April 17, 2007

The writer is an assistant professor at the University of Alabama at
Birmingham School of Medicine.