| Substance abuse in modern society is not | | | | criminal behavior. The use of these drugs |
| simply defined by the abuse of illegal drugs. | | | | can also lead to severe physical and mental |
| Substance abuse is characterized by a | | | | health problems often to the point of death. |
| habitual pattern of abuse including that of | | | | Drug and alcohol treatment comes in many |
| drugs, alcohol and prescription pills. The | | | | forms and rehabilitation is a life long |
| epidemic is wide spread and crosses all the | | | | endeavor. |
| borders of age, sex, race and class. The use | | | | |
| of drugs and alcohol in this way is usually | | | | The consumption of alcohol at every level in |
| for the purposes of altering state of mind; | | | | society makes it one of the most dangerous |
| however, this is not necessarily the case | | | | and hard to treat addictions in the world. |
| with all substance abuse. | | | | Social drinking is not only accepted but is |
| | | | embraced by society. Alcoholism can be an |
| There is a visible and definable drug culture | | | | everyday addiction or a binge-drinking |
| in our society that portrays illegal drug use | | | | problem. So, when does a social drink become |
| in recreational sense. Many drugs are used | | | | an addiction and how do we as a society |
| recreationally and may not lead to an | | | | combats the effects? |
| addiction or abuse of the drug. However, | | | | |
| they are all illegal because of their | | | | For alcoholics, treatment can be conducted in |
| destructive and addictive qualities that not | | | | several ways. Alcohol treatment will often |
| only affect the user but also have a great | | | | try to deal with the reasons behind the |
| impact on wider society. Many argue that any | | | | addiction as well as the physical and |
| use of illegal substances is abuse. It is | | | | psychological need. Treatment can be based |
| hard to distinguish where the use of drugs | | | | within an alcohol treatment center where |
| becomes excessive and therefore abusive. | | | | professionals assist the rehabilitation |
| | | | process. The most common form of treatment |
| Commonly used drugs include: | | | | comes in the form of a support network. |
| | | | These begin with group meetings and cover the |
| · Caffeine · Alcohol · Nicotine · | | | | whole spectrum of the problem through focused |
| Marijuana · Ecstasy · Cocaine · | | | | discussion and by putting in place plans and |
| Heroin · LSD · Ketamine · | | | | programs for recovery. |
| Methamphetamines | | | | |
| | | | Drug rehab is firstly about dealing with the |
| For serious substance abusers and their | | | | physical addiction. This process may require |
| families, the effects of these drugs can be | | | | medical assistance, as the physical effects |
| devastating and often fatal. The nature of | | | | of detoxification are extremely hard on the |
| addiction is such that users become extremely | | | | body. Withdrawals are common in drug rehab |
| determined and desperate when it comes to | | | | and range from cold sweats, cramping, |
| procuring drugs or alcohol. The need to use | | | | vomiting, hallucinations and mood swings as |
| can lead to lying, stealing, violence and | | | | well as extreme physical pain. |