Psychiatrist says addiction has no miracle cure

There is no miracle cure for addiction, psychiatrist Viljard Veede told ERR’s Radio 2, urging people with substance-related problems to seek professional help rather than trying to cope alone.

Estonian news magazine Eesti Ekspress reported last week that Oliver Reimann, a former director of the Estonian Drama Theatre, had admitted giving two people MDMA without their knowledge. The theatre subsequently ended his employment, and a criminal investigation was launched.

Veede said the effects of MDMA on people are generally well known. Common effects include elevated mood, euphoria, reduced anxiety and lower mental and physical tension. People may also feel more confident and sociable, and find it easier to feel close to and trust others.

MDMA is also often described as producing an intense sense of wellbeing, while some people may experience increased sexual desire. However, the same substance can produce very different experiences in different people, Veede said. He stressed the important distinction between voluntary use and situations in which a person is given the substance without their knowledge.

“Everyone has their own individual story and what exactly they are seeking from the substance,” he said.

Addiction treatment must address the reasons for substance use

According to Veede, addiction treatment largely consists of psychotherapy, addiction counselling and peer counselling. It is also important to understand why a person began using substances.

Substance use is often linked to depression, anxiety or previous trauma. Genetic vulnerability also affects the risk of developing an addiction. Some people with mild or moderate addictions may stop using substances on their own, Veede said.

He said addiction services are not very accessible in Estonia because there are too few specialists. Although all psychiatrists encounter alcohol and drug use in their work, doctors’ experience in dealing with addiction-related problems can vary.

Veede advised people to talk about their problems instead of trying to resolve them alone. Those experiencing addiction-related problems can seek help from a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical psychologist, addiction counsellor or peer counsellor. If a person suspects they may have depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, he recommends starting with a psychiatrist.