Methods of narcotism treatment

The term "narcotism" is etymologically connected with the word 'narcotic' (from Greek narcoticus — sleeping-draught, soporific) and is used to denote toxic substances that, when using, can cause euphoric, soporific, analgesic or stimulant effect. Besides, there is another viewpoint on the problem. Narcotic is a substance that corresponds to three criteria: medical, social, and juridical:

• medical criterion: this substance produces specific (sedative, stimulatory, hallucinogenic) influence on CNS;
• social criterion: the substance is used in non-medical purpose in great quantities and the consequences of that acquire social importance;
• juridical criterion: the substance is recognized as a narcotic according to the law of the country.

Narcotism is often observed with the people suffering from some chronic ailment and to whom drugs (mainly analgesics) are prescribed. Addiction is more often develops with the people having constitutional personality disorder or acquired psychopathy-like changes and also having latent forms of endogenous diseases.

• physical dependence;
• psychical inclination;
• somatic pathology.

The first stage of narcotism development is characterized by the appearance of syndrome of mental dependence from the drug and by the reduction of its euphoric action when administering it repeatedly. Mental dependence is conscious or unconscious need in use psychoactive substance to relieve psychic anxiety and to obtain the state of psychic comfort. At this stage, when narcotic dependence is being formed, the rise of tolerance is watched, as well as during all period of disease; organism is getting used to increasing dose.

The second stage is characterized by forming of physical dependence from narcotic. Physical dependence is an adaptive state of the organism and intensive physical disorders prove it. As it was mentioned above the organism becomes adopted to toxic substances, narcotic intertwines with metabolism and cessation of drug intake at this stage leads to different functional disorders, which are typical for abstinence syndrome. Abstinence syndrome is a complex of psychopathological, vegetative, neurological and somatic disorders. Clinical presentation, terms of forming and duration of abstinence depend upon type of substance, its dose, the period it was intaken and functional peculiarities of the organism. The following symptoms are typical for abstinence syndrome (at any form of addiction): mydriatic pupils, yawning, tremor, dyspepsia, hypertensive syndrome, anorexia (hyperglycemia), insomnia, anxiety, agitation or depression.

At the third stage, the stage of development of somatic pathology, intaken drugs do not cause euphoric effect, that's why drugs are necessary only for relieving the abstinence syndrome. Besides psychic defects appearing as negative emotionally-volitional disorders (apathy, asthenia, and anergy), somatic defects (degeneration of myocardium and parenchymal organs, atrophic changes of genitals, changes of CNS i.e., changes in nervous cells ultrastructure, especially cerebral cortex neurons.) In hard cases of narcotism definite changes in core apparatus of nervous cells are observed. As a rule, systemic exhaustion is observed. Lethal outcome are mainly the result of total degeneration of myocardium, nephropathy, combined infection.

Our centre suggests a number of programmes for treatment of drug addiction; it can be either hospitalization or out-patient treatment. Ambulatory programmes worked out in our clinic, suggest care for 'chemicals' addict patients who can't be hospitalized due to different personal circumstances: a very busy work schedule, studies, etc.

Every patient and his/her relatives is given detailed information about the methods used for treatment and rehabilitation in clinic "Polinar". Immediately after addressing to the clinic, the patient is examined by experienced doctors, express-analysis is made to discover the contents of narcotic substances in blood; the patient is diagnosed.

The doctors render assistance in choosing optimal treatment programme for every patient, taking into account the patient's physical state and financial position. By the patient's or the the patient can be hospitalized (two-place wards, TV, telephone, shower).

The treatment in our hospital begins with detoxication. For opioid addicts we use rapid opioid detoxication (ROD). This method differs from other ones by total absence of painful sufferings typical for abstinence. The procedure is carried out by a skillful anaesthetist in conditions corresponding to the conditions of intensive care department.

After relieving the abstinence syndrome, the period of recovery (somatopsychic correction) starts and specific pharmacotherapy, neuropeptides, immunotherapy, ozone therapy, MIMEX®-technology are used. Treatment and recovery programmes are made with the regard for the computer diagnostics of the organism and concomitant diseases.

To prevent our patients from breakups and frustration we use methods of a long-term blockade of opiate receptors of prolong form naltrexone hydrochloride after which narcotic has no effect.

For relieving psychical dependence and for rehabilitation, there is carried out a course of psychotherapy together with dependence psychology, Gestalt-therapy, family psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. At the beginning of rehabilitation process personal peculiarities of he patient are examined with the help of modern methods of computer psychodiagnostics, and it helps both specialists and the patient to analyze and find out the problematic personality areas, pathologic protection, immaturity of vital viewpoints, the presence of inner conflict. According to mentioned above individual plan of psychotherapeutic treatment is worked out. The plan provides for individual and compound psychotherapy.

Important!

• patient can come to the clinic in the state of intoxication as well as in the state of abstinence;
• patient should not be ill with mental or infection diseases or have an acute myocardic infraction or acute stroke!

• treatment programme individually chosen;
• anonymity and confidentiality;
• psychotherapeutic help during six months;