Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse

Abstract

Substance dependence and abuse is clearly a growing problem in the country. Therefore, better screening tools need to be developed and undergo clinical trials to assess their efficacy. More importantly, an evidence-based algorithmic approach lo risk mitigation that can be applied in a cost-effective manner to guide therapy is urgently needed. There also needs lo be a movement lo educate and improve awareness of the problem among clinicians from multidisciplines and all healthcare providers. Identification of the barriers that prevent patients from getting treatment for substance dependence/abuse is also essential in this movement. Finally, there needs to be a cultural shift in the medical community from opioid fear and disapproval to one of acceptance and understanding of opiate dependence/abuse as a medical illness just like any other disease process that needs lo be treated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved). (chapter)