Addiction can takes on many forms; food, shopping, surfing the net, gambling, sex and much more. But the most severe addictions of all are those of drugs and alcohol - with their obvious life-threatening consequences. People from all walks of life are not spared from this global phenomenon - not even the rich and the famous. Or rather - the rich and famous are probably even more affected - think of all media reports about affected Hollywood and chart stars such as Whitney Houston for example. Some decline rehabilitation while some voluntarily embark on their new lives in drug and alcohol rehabs.

Persons who succumb to alcohol and drugs may take them to overcome day-to-day problems, or the use may be triggered by stressful events, depressions and a general feeling that their lives are falling apart. Or it may be a case that such problems run in the family history - possibly genetic, or just seen as a familiar way to deal with issues. And obviously an addiction doesn't only affect the addict/alcoholic but the entire family as well.

Addicts and alcoholics resort to such vices because they feel contentment and canb relax for some time thus forgetting their problems in life. Globally, youths are attracted to addiction because of their aggressiveness and crave to taste, should we say, the 'forbidden fruit'. Such acts may make a person 'in' among his peers and he will be baptized as a 'grown-up'.

Does addiction and alcoholism have a cure? No, there is no cure - but there is a treatment - rehabilitation. And drug and rehabs are not lacking in every major place in the world.

People with drug and alcohol problems have different needs and should be addressed appropriately. There are program treatments designed to suit different cases. This is done through rehabilitation be it on adolescents or adults. It helps drug users and alcoholics to break free from the habit and provide them with treatment and social reintegration like individual/group counseling.

Most drug and alcohol "rehabees" have better chances of recovery at the moment they accept the fact that they are indeed under the influence of drugs and alcohol and it is controlling their life and they themselves seek treatment. But there are also addicts and alcoholics who refuse medication because they feel that admitting their problem is a moral weakness when it is not. This myth should be broken.

But since the use of drugs and alcohol became habitual long before the person entered rehabilitation, its effect especially in the brain function and brain structure continues to exist even if the person is on his way to recovery. Sometimes continuous medication, follow-up and check up should be done.

Recovery is an ongoing process and the victims of drugs and alcohols cannot do it alone. For this reason if family involvement, continuous care and support are missing, relapses may take place. Even though the person has regained his health and has been sober for a long-time, 'slips' may take place. Such relapses don't mean that the person failed the rehabilitation or treatment because it is common; it only means that he needs additional support and encouragement from his family.

Drug and alcohol rehab patients whatever their past shouldn't be judged because of their past. Addiction may have had them in its grips but drug and alcohol rehabs saved them and gave them another chance. So family and friends: make sure that they really get that chance.