Drug addiction happens when a person is into a drug habit over which he or she does not have any control. People who are drug addicts develop very strong urges for the drug and they are compelled to consume these drugs in order to overcome those urges.

Despite knowing that the drug effects won’t last, they are not able to stay away from the habit. Drug abuse is a lesser condition than drug addiction. These people consume drugs just for the sake of recreation. They know that the drug abuse is an unhealthy habit and they are using drugs for a use other than which is intended. However, they are able to come out of the habit if they wish, on their own accord.Drug addiction is almost always treated in a drug rehab center. This is an intensive treatment that needs the patient to be housed in an inpatient treatment program and closely monitored for signs of withdrawal and treated for the same.

Recently, experts have started proposing that people with drug abuse problems must be treated in the same way as drug addicts are, if they have mental conditions. People with conditions of the mind who also use drugs are on par with drug addicts. These people could any time progress into a serious addiction and when that happens, treatment will become difficult. Since these people are mentally challenged, they will not be able to garner the willpower that is needed to come out of the addiction. The best option is to treat them early on, when their habit has still not transformed into an active addiction.