Identifying and treating the drug-misusing patient.

The drug misusers whom physicians encounter in private practice are not the stereotypes. Treatment of drug problems is possible on an outpatient basis if physicians are willing to extend their normal role. Overcoming negative feelings toward patients who misuse drugs, employing some basic counseling skills and being aware of the relatively uncomplicated medical procedures involved in therapy can enable the physician to treat certain types of drug misuse in his own office.