title: Addiction in Singapore: changing patterns and evolving challenges.
abstract: Data from recent studies have shown an increase in substance use and addictive behaviours in Singapore. However, training and services still lag behind this trend, which means the provision of adequate treatment is lacking in spite of good evidence that treatment approaches for addiction disorders are effective. There is a need to train more manpower for this purpose, especially in primary healthcare. Another challenge is to ramp up services as quickly as possible to manage the growing number of addicts. Research should also focus on special populations, while public health education and national policies can be improved, particularly to curb binge drinking. We need to be open to the use of harm-reduction therapies and substitution treatments, as addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder with significant health and psychosocial morbidity.
authors: Department of Psychological Medicine, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore 529889. lai_huat_peh@cgh.com.sg
authors: Andrew L H
authors: AL
authors: Peh
authors: Yun Chin
authors: YC
authors: Lim
authors: Rasaiah Munidasa
authors: RM
authors: Winslow
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000628:therapy; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011634:Public Health; D012846:Singapore; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*