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When a rewarding behavior or substance feels out of control, should the first step be abstinence?

What the experts say

Anna LembkeMD · psychiatrist and addiction-medicine specialist

A time-limited abstinence trial can reveal the pattern and restore choice when stopping is medically safe.

What it rests onDOPAMINE framework and Stanford interviews.

Source: engineering.stanford.edu ↗
Sarah WakemanMD · internal-medicine and addiction-medicine physician

For substance use disorder, first steps should include immediate access to treatment and harm reduction, whether or not the person can stop.

What it rests onPatient-centered addiction treatment and low-barrier medication access.

Source: massgeneralbrigham.org ↗

Overview

Phone overuse, gambling, opioid use disorder, alcohol dependence and prescribed sedative dependence have different withdrawal and overdose risks.

Where they agree

Compulsion is treatable, shame is counterproductive, and the plan should increase safety and agency.

What would settle it

The substance or behavior, severity, withdrawal history, overdose risk, co-occurring conditions and the person's own goal.

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