Addicts are really addicted
Some health professionals are now arguing that there is no such thing as drug addiction.
Because of this dangerous view, these health professionals have rejected abstinence as a form of rehabilitation for drug users.
Controlled drug usage does not work and is part of the failed harm minimization drug policies that has lead to more drug users.
Professor Vaillant of Harvard University has proven by compelling long term evidence that for alcoholics and other drug users, so called moderation and controlled usage does NOT work.
The evidence is that after drug abstinence has been maintained for 5 years relapse is rare.
Addicts are extremely resistant to adopting a goal of abstinence and such resistance and denial are integral parts of their disorder.
An addict's best chance of recovery is by practicing total abstinence.
(Source: Prof. Ross Fitzgerald "The Old Unicornian" Winter 2002)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
Harm minimization drug policies used in Australia are a failure.
Maintaining addicts on drugs does not work.
Successful rehabilitation must address issues of why addicts take drugs and must resolve those issues.
Detoxification to a drug free state is essential before rehabilitation.
Chemical dependence to illicit drugs has been proven.
THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
HEROIN FACT SHEET 31
