title: Treatment of iatrogenic drug dependence in the general hospital.
abstract: Despite the vast literature on drug dependence, little has been written about patients who become addicted while taking medically prescribed drugs for organic pathology. Observations from a psychiatric consultation-liaison service reveal that these patients are frequently middle-aged with no history of drug abuse before the onset of a chronic medical condition. Associated with their medical condition is a dependence on narcotics and/or psychotropic medications for such complaints as pain, headache, insomnia, and anxiety. Thea addiction may persist for years without acknowledgement by a patient, doctor, or family, although there is usually a progressive constriction of social and occupational functioning. The primary physician is highly valued by the patient; this manifest appreciation trends to facilitate the primary physician's continued prescription of large doses of addicting drugs. Treatment involving detoxification typically goes through a series of stages, each of which has characteristic hazards and pitfalls that can lead to failure of treatment.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008658:Inactivation, Metabolic; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone