A: Dr. Mark Gold
Is it important to intervene early?
Substance use disorders are chronic, progressive and can be fatal. The progressive nature of this disease means that the earlier in the vicious cycle the diagnosis is made and treatment begins the better for the person with a SUD, their brain, and life. Family members, colleagues at work, health providers encourage seeing a professional or going to a rehab. But, it is often very difficult to know how far to go. We recommend that they try to intervene, early in the course of the disease.
In the early days, their relationship to the individual is stronger than the individual’s relationship to the drug or drugs of misuse. This is the best time for an intervention. Get an evaluation, see the full scope of the SUD and any other cooccurring or acquired medical problems, infectious, and psychiatric diseases. Treatment works, but it is best to initiate treatment early and to monitor for many years.
Dr. Mark Gold
Dr. Mark S. Gold is a teacher of the year, translational researcher, author, mentor and inventor best known for his work on the brain systems underlying the effects of opiate drugs, cocaine and food.
An excerpt from Navigating Addiction and Treatment: A Guide for Families, Addiction Policy Forum, 2020.