BARRIERS TO LONG-TERM TREATMENT (US):

Cesar Fax (Oct 6 08) reported that the number one reason (cited by 39% of those surveyed) why those who needed - and believed they needed! - treatment didn't get it was that they were "not ready to stop using." Particularly with dependence on illicit opiates, this would seem to be a compelling reason to consider very short-term, low-cost, ambulatory detoxification aiming for therapeutic outcomes that are short-lived but nevertheless meaningful. Such treatment would be aimed at interrupting the cycle of daily drug use, at least temporarily, identifying critical concomitant medical conditions, and providing opportunity to advise patients as to available longer-term treatments they might consider in future. Over 30 years ago in NYC precisely such a program had over 22,000 admissions yearly.