ABSTRACT
Substance abuse victims have chronic disease that requires long-term support and intervention if the outcome is to be influenced. Early interactions between abusing clients and medical staffs involved in their diagnosis and subsequent care profoundly influence whether or not the client will remain in some sort of relationship with treatment facilities or will eschew such contacts. It is the purpose of this chapter to discuss some of the adverse attitudes that doctors and their staffs may have, and to provide some suggestions for change if these are identified.
