title: Managing addiction as a chronic condition.
abstract: This article reviews progress in adapting addiction treatment to respond more fully to the chronic nature of most patients' problems. After reviewing evidence that the natural history of addiction involves recurrent cycles of relapse and recovery, we discuss emerging approaches to recovery management, including techniques for improving the continuity of care, monitoring during periods of abstinence, and early reintervention; recent developments in the field related to self-management, mutual aid, and other recovery supports; and system-level interventions. We also address the importance of adjusting treatment funding and organizational structures to better meet the needs of individuals with a chronic disease.
authors.affiliation: Chestnut Health Systems, Bloomington, Illinois, USA. mdennis@chestnut.org
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.forename: Christy K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D010348:Patient Care Team; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs