M. Abdelmawgoud et al., DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY AT AL-AMAL-HOSPITAL, DAMMAM, Journal of substance abuse treatment, 12(5), 1995, pp. 369-376
An experience in developing a treatment program of addiction in an Ara
bic Muslim Society. The three major waves of knowledge and methodology
are reviewed in historical perspective. General description of Al Ama
l Hospital, Dammam, K.S.A, and the three phases which the hospital tre
atment program underwent. Drug therapy was the main line of treatment
in the first phase, which resulted in a massive consumption of control
led drugs exposing patients to iatrogenic dependence. The second phase
introduced a wider concept of treatment using a bio-psycho-social mod
el in the context of the 12 steps program of the AA. This approach did
not reflect positively on patients' care due to the resistance of bot
h patients and staff. The third phase addressed the causes of this res
istance and formulated the basis for a comprehensive treatment program
for addiction that relies on a clear philosophy and defined treatment
stages. A multitude of treatment components were introduced and monit
ored by a daily clinical program audit. During the three phases, hospi
tal records showed a progressive decrease in the amount of medications
consumed (>90%) and dropouts (24%-2.8%). The overall number of patien
ts completing the treatment program markedly increased and although th
e average daily census dropped, there was, in fact, an increase in the
number of voluntary patients.