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Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Intervention
A drug and alcoholism intervention is an attempt by family members and friends to help a chemically dependent person get help for his or her addiction.

Substance Abuse
Substance abuse has a range of definitions related to disaproval over use or overuse of mood altering substances. These fall into four main categories: Substance abuse may lead to addiction or substance dependence. Medicaly, dependence requires the development of tolerance leading to withdrawal symptoms.

Addiction
Addiction implies that a drug dependency has developed to such an extent that it has serious detrimental effects on the user (referred to as an addict). They may be chronically intoxicated, have great difficulty stopping the drug use, and be determined to obtain the drug by almost any means. The term addiction is inextricably linked to society's reaction to the user, and so medical experts try to avoid using it, preferring dependence instead.

Inpatient Treatment is most often residential in that they require that the client live within the facility during treatment. Inpatient treatment centers and programs are a higher level of care than outpatient programs and provide more intensive services and treatment than lower levels of the care continuum.

organizations

drug policy | harm reduction programs

Drug Policy

American Civil Liberties Union Civil liberties news and resources related to drug policy
Common Sense For Drug Policy Organization advocating for "common sense" rather than drug war approach, numerous links to harm reduction organizations and resources about various drugs
Drug Policy Foundation Independent, nonprofit organization favoring alternatives to the "drug war," including public health strategies
Drug Reform Coordination Network Drug reform organization seeking reasoned alternatives to current policies, including harm reduction, reform of sentencing laws, and consideration of legalization; also links to enormous drug policy library
Drug Peace Campaign Organization that encourages Internet-based activism to bring about change in current drug policies, includes updated news archive
Harm Reduction Coalition Fosters harm reduction solutions to drug problems, site includes Straight Dope Education Series
International Harm Reduction Association UK-based organization with message board, links, and chat room
Lindesmith Center The most comprehensive harm reduction site around, includes extensive library, research briefs, e-mail newsletter, news items, and searchable database
National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws Principal national organization advocating for legalization of marijuana; site includes information about marijuana and current legislation being considered at state and national level

Harm Reduction Programs

DanceSafe Organization devoted to harm reduction with club drugs, particularly Ecstasy
DrinkWise A drinking moderation program for those with mild to moderate alcohol problems
Guided Self-Change Clinic Clinic based on the idea that problem drinkers not dependent on alcohol can self-guide treatment and pursue moderation goals, based at Nova Southeastern University
Injecting Rooms Australian Drug Foundation report reviews the evidence for injecting rooms, which are facilities that offer health worker supervision in safe needle practices
Rock Medicine Mobile medical emergency facility that provides medical and counseling services for those attending large events like rock concerts
Safe Works Needle Exchange Harm reduction organization that promotes HIV prevention through safer injection practices