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The Basics

A person has a substance abuse problem when they continue to use a substance--some form of drug, medication or alcohol -- despite the recurring social, occupational, psychological or physical problems such use causes. Such behavior is indicative of a mental disorder which can turn an illegal or a legal substance into a "drug" and which requires psychiatric medical treatment.

Drug abuse and addiction is a complex but treatable brain disease which affects adults and teens. It is characterized by compulsive drug craving, seeking, and use that persist even in the face of severe adverse consequences. For many people, drug addiction becomes chronic, with relapses possible even after long periods of abstinence. In fact, relapse to drug abuse occurs at rates similar to those for other well-characterized, chronic medical illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. As a chronic, recurring illness, addiction may require repeated treatments to increase the intervals between relapses and diminish their intensity, until abstinence is achieved. Through treatment tailored to individual needs, people with drug addiction can recover and lead productive lives.

The ultimate goal of drug addiction treatment is to enable an individual to achieve lasting abstinence, but the immediate goals are to reduce drug abuse, improve the patient's ability to function, and minimize the medical and social complications of drug abuse and addiction. Like people with diabetes or heart disease, people in treatment for drug addiction will need to change behavior to adopt a more healthful lifestyle.

Substance abuse treatment is often individualized to each patient, but there are a few steps that each patient needs to take to become drug free. The first of these steps in recognizing the problem. Denial used to be mistakenly believed to be part of the drug addiction symptoms, but recent research is showing it is not. People trying to help a person accept that they have a substance abuse problem need to show empathy, and respect.

The next step in substance abuse treatment is detoxification. Detoxification is the process of withdrawing the substance from the body. This is often accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms and cravings. Sometimes other medications are given to help the body cope with these symptoms. The patient is usually monitored either in an inpatient or outpatient facility. 

Rehabilitation is the third step. This is often the step that takes the longest. Programs range from a month to a year and usually include counseling, support groups, and family therapy. Mental health illnesses are also often evaluated and treated during this step. Rehabilitation needs to address the factors that cause substance abuse by a certain individual. Factors that contribute to drug abuse are: peer pressure, genetic make-up, anxiety, emotional distress, environmental stress and depression. Rehabilitation should give a patient the tools they need to help control and maintain these factors. For example, by providing support groups and other relationships substance abuse treatment centers can help reduce the impact that peer pressure has on an individual.

Abstinence is the final step. For many patients support groups continue to help them remain drug free. They often continue going to support groups at regular intervals long after the rehabilitation process is complete. Some support groups are: Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Ala-Teen, and Al-Anon

Click here for more information on substance abuse treatment

A terrific collection of links to a information on all aspects of drug and alcohol abuse treatment provided by the National Library of Medicine and the NInstitute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration site for public information

If you recognize any alcohol or drug use warning signs among children or teens, it's time to take action. Parents often feel confused about whether there really is a problem and are reluctant to risk taking the first step, unsure of where it will lead them.

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