Remissions from drug dependence: is treatment a prerequisite?

The present study investigated the prevalence of untreated drug remissions in a representative sample of respondents who had a lifetime diagnosis of o ne of five types of illicit drug dependence in the past (cannabis, cocaine/ crack, hallucinogens, amphetamines, or heroin) but no diagnosis of drug abu se or dependence in the last year. It was concluded that, among recovered i ndividuals with previous clinically significant drug concerns (as measured using DSM-IV criteria), a substantial proportion had accessed addictions tr eatment services prior to remission. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.