The Addict and Alcoholic in Treatment: Some Comparisons

Abstract

In the past decade there have been dramatic increases in narcotic addiction. Figures from the Bureau of Narcotics range from a low of 46,000 addicts in the early 1960's* to a current estimate by the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs of 375,000 narcotic addicts. ** Correspondingly, the need for drug treatment programs, personnel and methods has risen. One way to meet the epidemic has been through increased use of the ex-addict and ex-alcoholic as direct treatment personnel. This use of the paraprofessional has altered the role of the professional away from direct counseling and more in the direction of program planning and supervision. In this role, it is the responsibility of the professional to search out new modalities or combinations of treatment approaches and to retain sufficient flexibility in supervision and training so that a given patient is not limited to the exact method or philosophy of treatment that helped his ex-addict or ex-alcoholic counselor. Since social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and other professionals are generally more familiar with the dynamics and treatment process of alcoholism than they are with narcotic addiction, a comparison of the two chemical dependencies provides a bridge of understanding that may assist the professional in becoming more familiar with the process of narcotic addiction rehabilitation and thereby assist him in his developing role as supervisor and program developer.