Drug and alcohol addiction: new challenges

Abstract

SUMMARY There have been many developments in addiction psychiatry over the past decade. Some of these are political, such as preference for recovery-/abstinence-based programmes. Prohibition is becoming increasingly unrealistic, especially considering the effective legalisation of recreational cannabis in Uruguay and two US states. Legal highs and diversion of prescribed drugs (such as methadone, gabapentinoids, methylphenidate and benzodiazepines) are now a major problem. Furthermore, diversion of opioid drugs that are prescribed for pain is reaching epidemic proportions, causing a significant change in the nature of patients being referred to addiction services.