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 The first step is Detoxification, when the individual is systematically withdrawn from addictive drugs, overseen by a doctor who takes care of the physiological effects.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.