Addiction medicine for the primary care physician

Addiction and the consequences including medical, social, and legal are seen almost daily in a primary care office. To effectively deal with these problems it is imperative that the physician view addiction as a disease. This article explores the disease concept and the basis for the view as well as providing a guide to diagnosis and assessment. Useful screening tools are also provided as well as a discussion of biochemical markers currently available. A guideline for delivering the diagnosis is also discussed. An overview of the stages of treatment is provided as well, with particular emphasis on what the primary care physician needs to know. Outcome data regarding types of treatment looking at abstinence, harm reduction, and economic impacts are provided. Finally a look at parity for addiction treatment with a discussion of the cost and the benefits to society are also outlined.