The problems associated with drug addiction can vary significantly. People addicted to drugs come from all walks of life. Many suffer from mental problems, labor, physical, or social, which make their addictive disorders much more difficult to treat. Even in cases where there are few problems, the severity of addiction itself is not equal for all people.

A variety of scientifically based approaches to addiction treatment. The drug addiction treatment can include behavioral therapy (such as counseling, cognitive therapy or psychotherapy), medications or a combination of both. Behavioral therapies offer strategies for addicts to confront their drug cravings, teach them ways to avoid drugs and prevent relapse and help them deal with relapse if they do occur. When the drug-related behavior places the patient at high risk of contracting AIDS or other infectious diseases, behavioral therapies can help reduce the risk of disease transmission. For many patients, case management and the power be referred to other medical, psychological and social issues are essential components of treatment. The best programs provide a combination of therapies and other services to meet the needs of each patient, which is shaped by such issues as age, race, culture, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, parenthood, housing and work, plus the ability to have suffered physical or sexual abuse

To consider that someone is addicted to a substance must meet at least 3 of the 9 criteria listed below:

1. Use of the substance in greater amounts or longer than the subject intended.
2. Persistent desire or efforts to suppress or control consumption.
3. It employs a lot of time getting or using the substance.
4. Poison frequent or withdrawal symptoms in those moments when the subject has to perform its obligations (work, studies, housework, etc…) Or the subject consumes risking physically (driving while intoxicated, etc.)
5. Reduction or abandonment of social, occupational or recreational activities for the consumption of the substance.
6. Use of the substance despite the social, psychological or physical caused or aggravated by the substance.
7. Tolerance.
8. Characteristic withdrawal symptoms.
9. Often consumed the substance to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.