Management Of The Addicted Patient In Primary Care

This book assists primary care physicians in managing patients with addictive illness. The text is logically organized into easily accessible sections. The introductory section gives the reader background and rationale for acquiring the requisite knowledge and skills needed to evaluate and treat addiction in primary care. Following a brief presentation of addiction "basics" (i.e., definitions, discussion of the "disease model," genetics, drugs of abuse, and assessment instruments), the majority of the book focuses on helping the physician gain insight and develop practical skills that can be readily implemented in an office-based setting. Case presentations illustrate the most frequently encountered types of addicted patients found in primary care. Invaluable descriptions of the underlying psychosocial processes common to all forms of addiction, and a brief introduction to chronic pain in addiction, are provided. Nonpharmacologic modalities for managing addiction are discussed, including specific cognitive-behavioral and motivational strategies that can be administered in an office-based setting. Pharmacologic interventions aimed at the office-based management of craving and withdrawal symptoms for a variety of substances are also clearly outlined. The importance of community-based recovery support systems is considered as well. Since a complete understanding of why and when to refer is critical to the management of this often life-threatening condition, criteria for referral are detailed. The final portion of the book offers bulleted clinical "pearls" that further aid the reader in gaining insight into treating this difficult patient population.

By reading this book, thephysician will:

1) Become more knowledgeable about the latest findings regarding the pathophysiology and genetic factors involved in the development of addictive illness;

2) Gain skills for the accurate diagnosis of substance use, abuse, and dependence;

3) Increase knowledge of specific strategies that can be implemented in an office-based setting to improve interpersonal skills and communication with patients with addictive illness;

4) Gain expertise in both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions that can be administered when treating addicted patients.

In summary, this book enables the physician to exhibit greater knowledge of all aspects of substance addiction and equips the reader to better manage these types of patients in the office setting.