Management of Adults Recovering From Alcohol or Other Drug Problems
Relapse Prevention in Primary Care
- Peter D. Friedmann, MD, MPH;
- Richard Saitz, MD, MPH;
- Jeffrey H. Samet, MD, MA, MPH
- From the Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill (Dr Friedmann); and the Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass (Drs Saitz and Samet).
Abstract
Patients recovering from substance use disorders are commonly seen in the primary care setting, and relapse is a serious long-term problem for these patients. Extrapolating from therapeutic strategies effective in specialty addiction treatment settings, this article outlines a practical approach to relapse prevention in the primary care setting. Working within a supportive patient-physician relationship, the primary care physician can help recovering patients decrease their susceptibility to relapse, recognize and manage high-risk situations, and use available self-help, pharmacological, and specialty resources. Drawing on the therapeutic relationship and skills they already possess, primary care physicians can have an important, productive, and satisfying role in the long-term management of patients in recovery from alcohol or other drug problems.
