Scientific conference: "How best to treat drug addiction?"
Drug addiction
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- from: 09.12.2008
- to: 10.12.2008
- In: Paris
This conference will be opened by Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, the French minister for health, young people, sport and the voluntary sector, and will be closed by Valérie Pécresse, the French minister for higher education and research. Around 400 participants are expected to attend the debates led by some 20 European and international researchers and high-level clinicians.
The aim of this conference is to help find new ways of treating addictions using recent scientific advances and also to pave the way for future cooperation in research on these issues at EU level. Though major progress has been maid with regard to treatment of some types of addiction (nicotine replacement therapy and new pharmacological complexes for tobacco addiction, drug replacement therapy for heroin addiction), clinicians still face major difficulties regarding other rapidly progressing forms, such as cocaine use or heavy cannabis use by some teenagers and young adults. However, research is progressing fast, offering prospects of new therapeutic approaches.
The conference will be based around several research themes. The first day will be dedicated to advances in research on the neurobiological nature of addiction, as well as to treatment options for addiction to cocaine and crack cocaine. Another session will examine the potential of other approaches, such as community therapy. The morning of the second day will be based on the patients themselves, with dedicated sessions on medium and long term futures for those on opiate replacement therapy. The best way to deal with young cannabis users will also be discussed. The afternoon session will focus on the potential of cold turkey treatment, both for illegal substances and for alcohol. The aim of the conference being to contribute to the development of scientific advances for research and care, the experts at the last round table session will make proposals on improving the organisation of research on dealing with addictions at European level.
- Updated: 30.12.2008
