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