Dos Santos, M: Defeating the Dragon

The consequences of heroin dependence can be extremely difficult to escape from, resulting in unpleasant and potentially terrifying experiences. Contrary to popular belief, the reality is that many people do eventually recover. Despite the vast sums of money devoted to intervention for heroin dependents in South Africa and worldwide, the processes by which recovery occur remain fairly unclear. Moreover, relatively little is known about the contribution of interventions and processes in facilitating such recovery. This descriptive study of the experiences and suggestions of forty long - term voluntarily abstinent heroin dependents revealed that behaviour modification and the promotion of recovery occurred mostly through psychosocial/pharmacological intervention, producing a range of positive effects that facilitated natural recovery processes. Other contributors in promoting behaviour modification were identified and discussed as well. A number of challenges to successful intervention were also identified. Clear support was obtained for the maturing out hypothesis of heroin dependence.