Pharmacists are often unprepared to become actively clinically involved with patients in chemical dependence treatment programs. This article discusses problems frequently encountered with these patients and provides potential solutions to detriments in addressing their needs. A practitioner needs to develop credibility with patients, understand the neurochemistry of addictions, and understand the main concepts that maintain addictive disorders. Non-drug alternatives need to be understood and offered to recovering patients instead of immediately relying on pharmacological treatments. Issues regarding dual diagnoses, pain management, nicotine cessation, and concurrent medical problems are discussed. Essential treatment concerns, such as a practitioner's "philosophy of treat ment," concept of 12-step groups, the natural course of addiction, and recognizing impaired health professionals are addressed. The author offers suggestions for becoming successfully involved in a chemical dependency treatment program. Copyright
©
1996 by W.B. Saunders Company
