Introduction: Addiction to illegal drugs is defined as a chronic, relapsing disease and has many harmful consequences. Studies enabled the development of different treatment approaches which include the community. Community-based treatment refers to an integrated model of treating people who are addicted to illegal drugs. An important role of nurses is demonstrated in individualized responses to the needs of the users of illegal drugs and ensuring the best possible outcomes of the treatment. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to research community-based treatment of the people addicted to illegal drugs addiction, compare the methods of treatment in the community in Slovenia and abroad, and to present the role of a nurse in the community-based treatment of the people addicted to illegal drugs. Methods: In the diploma work, the descriptive method with a systematic review of the literature published in the years 2002-2009 was used. A search in the CINAHL with Full Text, MEDLINE and ScienceDirect databases was performed with the used keywords in English and Slovenian language. Freely accessible, primary and reviewed articles were used with clearly defined objectives and methods in English and Slovenian language. Results: To be effective, the treatment must address the individuals’ needs. The goals of treatment are to help the users to develop the skills to manage their illegal-drug addiction and to stop or reduce the use of illegal drugs. Harm reduction is a conceptual framework which is based on eliminating the negative consequences of addiction to illegal drugs and does not include abstinence necessarily. Nurses possess knowledge and skills for the treatment of illegal drugs addicts. Discussion and conclusion: Over decades, the perspectives on illegal-drug addiction were changing. The society was evolving and together with it, the methods of medical treatment in the community were upgraded in accordance with the modernity. Nurses diminish stigma and represent a role model for the laymen community.
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