Article content The process of overcoming drug addiction often begins involuntarily. That shouldn’t be surprising given that one of the core diagnostic features of addiction is a loss of control over harmful behaviour. Canada’s presents reasons why people initiated recovery from addiction.
The list includes severe consequences involving physical health (46 per cent), mental health (68 per cent), relationships (65 per cent), employment (37 per cent) and conflict with the law (17 per cent). Too often, people only begin the process of change when they have reached their proverbial “rock bottom.” And yet, when they are well supported, results of interventions are extremely positive.
Over three quarters of heavy drinkers who require a liver transplant following surgery. My team’s research on Vancouver’s and confirmed that people with severe drug addictions are able to transform their lives away from substance use and crime. Employment-related interventions exist for many groups, such as physicians, lawyers, and airplane pilots.
Five-year followup studies have zero positive drug tests. The standard of care that guides these effective interventions involves intensive psychosocial care and abstinence from drugs. Involuntary interventions have been used increasingly in British Columbia, but with no long-term benefit to individuals or their communities.
Between 2008 and 2017 the number of people in B.C. who were involuntarily hospitalized due to a substance use disorder ros.