title: [Opiates, harm reduction and polysubstance abuse].
abstract: Opioid dependence is a chronic metabolic brain disease and several individual, sociological and biological factors are implicated in its development. Program (needle exchange, low threshold access to treatment) prevent harms associated with opioid use (HIV, overdose…). Effective treatment involves a set of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. The benefits of maintenance programmes increase as long as the person remains in treatment (many years). Relapse is a symptom of the disorder or a sign of abstinence failure. Treatment aims to improve quality of life in a comprehensive and individualised assessment.
authors.affiliation: Groupe hospitalier Paul-Guiraud, pôle addictions clinique Liberté, 92220 Bagneux, France. didier.touzeau@ch-pgv.fr
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Touzeau
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Courty
mesh_terms: D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D040261:Harm Reduction; D003932:Heroin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse
chemical_list: D003932:Heroin