Management of the Addicted Patient in Primary Care

Tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, and secondhand exposure are the nation’s leading health problems. These acquired problems cause more than half of all deaths per year. First use, as well as some subsequent use, may be voluntary, but after loss of control, continued use is to be expected in an addict. So, prevention is the treatment of choice and also the treatment with the greatest ef? cacy. When prevention fails, early intervention and prompt treatment are critical; oth- wise, abuse becomes dep