Things to remember when dealing with someone with a drug abuse problem

Things to remember when dealing with someone with a drug problem
• The commonest drugs that are abused are legal in most countries: tobacco and alcohol.
• Drug abuse is both a social and a health problem. It can cause serious health problems such as HIV/
AIDS, especially in those injecting drugs.
• Completely stopping the drug abuse is the only solution.
• A single interview that combines advice and education can have a profound impact on people abusing
drugs, even leading to them to change this behaviour.
• Advice on how to stop the drug abuse, treatment for withdrawal symptoms, counselling the family,
regular follow-up and referral to community groups are the main treatments.