A Drug is any substance that is taken to suppress an unwanted condition.
Extremely chronic or habitual use of such substances to alter states of mind or
body, other than for a medically wanted purpose, is called drug abuse.

The inappropriate use of drugs is drug abuse. There are many illegal drugs on
the market, which are potential sources of drug addiction. These may be
classified into Narcotics, Depressants, sedatives, stimulants and steroids. All
kinds of drugs can be abused, including illegal drugs (Cocaine, heroin),
prescription drugs (tranquilizers or pain killers) and off-the-shelf medicines
like cough mixtures.

Anabolic steroids are abused by athletes and sportsmen to build up their
bodies. Nicotine in cigarettes and caffeine in coffee can be abused. Narcotics
include morphine, opium, heroin and methadone. Depressants are alcohol,
barbiturates and sedatives. Stimulants are drugs such as Cocaine, and
amphetamines, hallucinogens and marijuana.

An individual is said to be addicted when he becomes physically and mentally
dependant on any of these drugs and experiences withdrawal symptoms when the
drug usage is stopped or reduced. Drug Rehab is the umbrella term given to the
process of medical and psychotherapeutic treatment for abusers of illegal and
prescription drugs.

Most Drug Rehab programs teach patients to interact in a drug-free
environment. They are asked to avoid the company of others substance abusers.
Drug Rehab is sometimes a part of the criminal justice system. Persons convicted
of minor drug offenses are sometimes sent to Rehab centers instead of prison.

The treatment of drug addicts has two major areas--behavioral therapies and
medical therapies. Behavioral therapy includes counseling and family support,
and medical therapy is administering certain drugs to counteract withdrawal
symptoms. The drug treatment program consists of different methods according to
the needs of different persons.

The first step is Detoxification, when the individual is systematically
withdrawn from addictive drugs, overseen by a doctor who takes care of the
physiological effects. After this there is a choice of various programs
according to the severity of the problem. An outpatient drug-free treatment
program consists of individual and group counseling and no medication.

Short-term residential programs have a 3-6 week inpatient treatment that
resembles the 12-step program of groups like Narcotics Anonymous. After this,
the patient joins an outpatient program or a self-help group. Therapeutic
communities provide 24-hour care in a non-hospital setting. Patients stay for
6-12 months in a highly structured program.

They are usually long-term addicts with highly impaired social functioning.
There are also Maintenance programs for certain drugs like heroin to stop
withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and use alternate drug (methadone) therapy.

In sum, Drug Rehab must aim at rebuilding the life of the drug addict. This
is possible only by educating the addict and his family through psychotherapy.
Through Drug Rehab programs tailored to their needs, drug abusers can learn to
control their conditions and live normal, productive lives.