Addict In The Family
by Dr. Andrew Byrne
A NOTE TO THE READER
While every care has been taken to ensure that the content
of this book is accurate, the author and publisher do not accept
legal liability for any problems arising from the implementation
of the various treatment strategies outlined therein. The
high mortality amongst street heroin users means that deaths
are occasionally encountered in this field. The aim of this work
is to assist family members and others to ease the suffering of
those affected by heroin addiction.
This work is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for
the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review,
as permitted under copyright law, no part may be reproduced by
any process without written permission from the publisher.
ISBN 0 646 29144 0
ADDICT IN THE FAMILY
HOW TO COPE WITH THE LONG HAUL
CONTENTS
Review by Robert G. Newman, MD
Review by Jeffrey J. Kegley, MSW
Introduction: DRUGS ARE ALL AROUND US
2007 Update to Introduction
REALISATION OF THE FACTS
A CLASSIFICATION OF COMMON
PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS
WHAT TERMS TO USE AND WHO
TO TELL?
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
DO'S AND DONTS FOR RELATIVES
OF DRUG USERS
REASONS FOR DRUG USE
WHO IS NOT A DRUG ADDICT?
PREVENTION: IS
IT A DISEASE?
PREDISPOSITION:
GENES & ENVIRONMENT
ENZYMES, TOLERANCE AND
RECRUITMENT
INITIAL DRUG USE.
WHO ARE THE PUSHERS?
GATEWAY OR STEPPING-STONE
MYTHS
Chapter Three:
CAN'T YOU JUST GIVE UP OR SOMETHING?
DEFINITION OF
ADDICTION - DRUG AND SUBJECT
FORMAL PROHIBITION AND
LEGAL CONSEQUENCES
PRISON CULTURE
WHAT DO HEROIN
ADDICTS ACTUALLY DO?
WHY DON'T ADDICTS
GIVE UP?
ADDICT CHARACTERISTICS
HARMFUL MEDICAL
CONSEQUENCES OF OPIOID USE
Chapter Four:
OR SOMETHING - Treatment Options
ABSTINENCE
ORIENTED TREATMENTS
DETOXIFICATION
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITIES
ALTERNATIVES TO
ABSTINENCE
METHADONE MAINTENANCE
TREATMENT
BUPRENORPHINE (added April 2007)
WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN COMMENCING METHADONE?
'PROBLEMS' WITH METHADONE
METHADONE:
RESEARCH AND MYTHS
PRESCRIBED HEROIN
AND OTHER OPIOIDS
WHEN TO BEGIN REDUCTIONS
'CO-DEPENDENCY'
HOW TO REDUCE DOSES
"PLAN B"
THE NATURAL HISTORY
OF DRUG ADDICTION
FAMOUS DRUG USERS
RESEARCH
MORTALITY IN DRUG USERS
PAINFUL DISORDERS
PSYCHIATRIC CONDITIONS
HEPATITIS C (Added April 2007)
OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS
COMMON PRESENTATION
FOR TREATMENT
COMPLICATIONS,
THEN ABSTINENCE
DEATH IN A PRISON
CELL
TEN YEARS ON
METHADONE
TWIN SISTERS WITH
DRUGS IN THE BLOOD
MIDDLE CLASS ADDICT
DISASTER TO
DOMESTICITY
METHADONE JUST IN
CASE
SABOTAGE FROM WITHIN
THIS TIME, FOR
SURE!
APPENDIX -- OTHER DRUGS:
NICOTINE/TOBACCO
CANNABIS
ALCOHOL
OTHER DRUGS:
BENZODIAZEPINE TRANQUILLIZERS
AMPHETAMINE AND
ECSTASY
LSD, MAGIC MUSHROOMS,
PEYOTE
COCAINE
Chronology:
Some facts and figures
Reading List
Glossary:
Street Language and Medical Terms
References
About the Author
Order form
This book is dedicated to the many
Australian heroin addicts
who continue to suffer. We should endeavour to minimise the
harm resulting from drug and alcohol use, especially in the young.
Prohibition of drugs has failed to achieve this goal and policy
changes are needed to prevent the continuing tragedy. Many
authorities have adopted the 'harm minimisation'
philosophy including
the limited availability of certain drugs such as cannabis, methadone
and even heroin. As politicians enact more enlightened legislation,
there will be fewer overdoses, less viral disease transmission, crime
and other untoward consequences of illicit drug use.
Thanks are due to Rosemary Blayney, Bill Brooks, Allan Gill
and Anne Love who all assisted in the preparation of this work.
My father, John Justinian Byrne, has been the guiding light for most
of the medical principles espoused in this small book. He
still
runs the 'family practice' started by his
father, James Michael
Byrne, at Ramsgate on Sydney's Botany Bay.
Other works by Dr. Byrne:
"Methadone in the Treatment of Narcotic Addiction"
A guide for those involved in prescribing methadone.
Available from Tosca Press
Published by Tosca Press,
75 Redfern Street, Redfern, NSW, Australia, 2016
Telephone 61 2 9319 5524 Facsimile 61 2 9318 0631
© Andrew James Byrne 1996
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Dr. Andrew J. Byrne received the prestigious Marie Award at
the 2006 national conference of the American Association for the
Treatment of Opioid Dependence.
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