This website was created to help individuals and families make informed decisions regarding the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. We've also included information on specific drugs like GHB, Cocaine, Crystal-Meth and Heroin. For the complete list of drugs of abuse, use the Drug Information link to the left. The artilces on specific drugs can help you identify signs and or symptoms that someone you love is in trouble.

The resources and referrals will help you find the right type of treatment. We've included information on the types of addiction treatments available, as well as approximate costs. You will also find a listing of all 50 States Division (or Department) of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

At least three of the following are necessary; some of the symptoms of the disturbance must have persisted for at least one month or have occurred repeatedly over a longer period of time. Continued substance use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent social, psychological, or physical problem that is caused or exacerbated by use of the substance.
[How can you tell if someone is abusing oraddicted to drugs? cont.]

Since successful outcomes often depend upon retaining the person long enough to gain the full benefits of treatment, strategies for keeping an individual in the program are critical. Whether a patient stays in treatment depends on factors associated with both the individual and the program. Individual factors related to engagement and retention include motivation to change drug-using behavior, degree of support. [What helps people stay in treatment? cont.]

Treatment of addiction to prescription stimulants, such as Ritalin, is often based on behavioral therapies proven effective for treating cocaine or methamphetamine addiction. At this time, there are no proven medications for the treatment of stimulant addiction. However, antidepressants may help manage the symptoms of depression that can accompany the early days of abstinence from stimulants. [ addiction to prescription stimulants cont. ]