Treatment of problematic use of drugs. State of the art for evidence based treatments and other interventions, 2004

Addiction is best seen as a chronic, though not incurable disorder that is not just the product of the characteristics of the drug but also of biological (including hereditary), personal and social influences. This view is also called the biopsychosocial model. Efforts to control or break the addiction go hand in hand with trial and error. A relapse occurs so often that many people doubt the use of treatment. That opinion is incorrect. There are treatments and other interventions that are effective, though not always and not with everyone.
This book describes the state of the art in this field at the beginning of 2004. In 2002 the Health Board published a report about medicated interventions in drug addiction. In this book the National Drug Monitor (NDM) takes the baton from the Health Board. The literature about medicated approaches is actualized with the addition of an extensive description of research about the usefulness of psychosocial interventions in addiction, which are al least as essential as the use of medicines. This publication is a background study of the NDM. The NDM gives a survey of what is known about drugs and other 'natural stimulants'. So far, in reports the emphasis has been placed on figures about the consumption of these stimulants and about the consequences of the use thereof. At the request of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), the NDM focuses on campaigns to stop or reduce problematic use of illegal drugs (treatments) or on the prevention, decrease or cancellation of the consequences of such use (interventions with a view to harm reduction and to social reintegration).
The authors of this book have made a thorough study of the scientific literature. Hundreds of articles and surveys have been meticulously selected and judged by strict criteria. The quality of the analysis was further guaranteed by consultation with numerous experts in the Netherlands and abroad. Comment to the work done was given by the NDM Study Group Treatment Effectivity and the NDM Scientific Committee (see Appendix D).
The book is meant to offer assistance to policy, practice and science. Policy: Insight into what is effective and what is not, is required to raise the level of care for addicts. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) endorses this view in memoranda and in its subsidy policy.