Open AccessA case of drug abuse
Author(s) -
Matteo Pacini
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
clinical management issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2283-3137
pISSN - 1973-4832
DOI - 10.7175/cmi.v2i3.569
Subject(s) - harm reduction , methadone , medicine , heroin , methadone maintenance , addiction , intervention (counseling) , harm , psychiatry , substance abuse , rehabilitation , drug , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , intensive care medicine , family medicine , psychology , physical therapy , social psychology
Methadone maintenance is one of the well-known harm reduction strategies for public health intervention in heroin addiction. The significance of methadone treatment in preventing needle sharing, which in turn reduces the risk of HIV and HCV transmission among injectors, has been demonstrated. Methadone maintenance is also considered gathering site where heroin addicts can effectively acquire knowledge on harm reduction and drug rehabilitation. We report a case of a 34-years-old patient with a history of heroin abuse. Therapy with methadone was essential for an adequate management of the case. The article describe difficulties and complexities of heroin abuse management and the therapeutic role of methadone