An addictive drug is one that causes uncontrollable and compulsive drug craving, seeking and the use of the drug, even if one is aware of negative effects and social implications. A person starts getting physically dependent on such drugs, requiring it to pursue even day-to-day activities. In absence of availability of such drugs, a person feels lost and irritated. It starts affecting the normal behavior and such a person just cannot function till he/she is able to take a shot of that particular drug.

A person might also turn to crime to lay hands on the banned substance.

Some startling facts from a survey carried out by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services, in 2005, reveal the extent of this problem-
® An estimated 112,085,000 Americans aged 12 or over (46.1% of the US population aged 12 and over) report having used an illicit drug at least once in their lifetime.
® An estimated 35,041,000 Americans aged 12 or over (14.4% of the US population aged 12 and over) used an illicit drug during the previous year.

Past Month Illicit Drug Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older, by Age: 2005

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

These figures give a clear indication how deep the drugs have seeped into the society. An addiction usually starts from a single try, after which, the repeated use ultimately results in being addicted to the substance. An addict requires lot of strength and courage to accept that he/she is addicted. This is usually the first step towards de-addiction. However, addicts require lot of help and support, as well as love and acceptance to kick off the habit. Going for a rehab program is the best way to get rid of addiction. There are various Drugs Rehabilitation Centers across America, as well as abroad, which help addicts to give up the craving. An addict might choose to go for a rehab program either by self-will or forcefully, by the way of family or peer pressure or a court ruling. A rehab center helps to bring about a change from the negative behavior and addiction, to a normal healthy lifestyle.

Going through a rehab program is a very emotional decision for an addict, as well as the family members and friends. A rehab program will require great determination and constraint from the addict to come out of the addiction and stay ‘drug free’. In many cases, after successfully coming out of addiction, a person succumbs again, after initial restraint ranging from few weeks to a couple of months. This is usually because addictive drugs remain as stresses in the fats of the body and they are released in small quantities into the blood stream if a person goes through stress or anxiety. In the face of these “small kicks”, the body craves for more drugs leading a person back into addiction.

Every person that walks into a rehab center is a different individual, with different physical and psychological factors leading to the condition and different reasons to use drugs. Different people will have addiction to different drugs and hence, they cannot be treated in a same manner. It is the responsibility of the addiction program to provide all possible support and motivation to an addict as well as provide all help and treatment, to lead a normal and healthy life.

Different programs use a different approach to help a person come out of addiction. While some use prescription drugs and other medical procedures, others take a complete holistic approach, relying heavily on natural procedures. Some programs might even use a combination of different approaches to arrive at positive results. A person can consider many of the different kinds of programs that are available. Every substance abuse is tackled in a different manner.

An important criterion to consider a program is to understand the amount of time that you can afford to give to it. There are short-term rehab clinics as well as long term, as well as long term out patients programs available. The patients have to decide whether they can lead their lives as it already is or join a resident program or address the issue in any other way.

A good rehab program is one that treats the body, mind and soul and provides an all-round treatment. Often, the physical symptoms of addiction a re treated, but a person is wrecked emotionally during coming out of an addiction. Thus the approach should be such that the person is well equipped to handle the challenges and stay away from drugs on entering the outside world. The support system comprises of physicians, therapists and psychiatrists, who help the patient. However, it is the responsibility of the patient to actually control his or her urges and staying on course of a healthy life. Rehab program, friends, family, all help a person coming out of the addiction. It is the responsibility of the patient to actually come out of addiction, as well as take care that he or she doesn’t fall back into that vicious trap. With a good rehab program and proper care and support, an addict cannot only overcome the addiction, but can lead a normal and healthy life as well.