MAIN Health Drug & Alcohol Abuse

This duo makes up the most common addictions, and sometimes the hardest to beat.

One reason that drug and alcohol addictions are difficult to kick are that the line between normal use and abuse is difficult to define. Most abusers start out thinking that they will never become hooked on any substance.

Occasional use slips into chronic use with withdrawal symptoms and intense craving when the drugs or alcohol are eliminated.

Interventions by well meaning friends, family or co-workers may be greeted with anger and denial. By the time an addiction is recognized, the persom may be too dependent on the substance to take the necessary steps to clean up their act on their own.

There are many proven resources available to help transition to a drug or alcohol free life. Not all of them work for everyone, but there will be one of them that will work for each person who is trying to sober up or stay clean.

Check out these links and resources that offer help with taking the first step...

The Addiction Recovery Guide - This site is basically a link index to drug information and recovery resources, but the design, ease of navigation and depth of information rate this a top placement.

AA - Alcoholics Anonymous is probably the best known of the 12 step programs. Although many argue that it replaces dependence on alcohol with dependence on faith, the process works for many alcoholics. The spin-off programs for families affected by alcoholism are life savers for those who love an alcoholic.

NA - Narcotics Anonymous is modeled on the success of the AA 12 step program and offers a directory 800 number helplines around the globe along with related local and regional links, professional resources, publications and reports.

MedLine Plus Drug Abuse - The U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health have gathered an impressive array of links and articles on treatments and clinical trials, prevention and screening, with additional focus on resources for teens, women and seniors.

HabitSmart - With many good resources and a common sense, cognitive-based approach to handling addiction, this site adds an alternative to the 12 step approach.

Institute of Alcohol Studies - The Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) is a UK group focused on the consequenses and management of alcohol abuse. Good resources and up-to-date legislative issues.

also see in Health -> Addiction Help

Alcoholism Symptoms & Treatment

also see in Home Legal Guide -> Drug Possession Laws

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.