Addiction is not only a debilitating disease but many psychologists have called it a serious personality flaw. Not being able to control a desire for any substance is often labeled as a character weakness.

When drugs are used in combination, they can be lethal and often fatal. Drug related deaths, not only in North Carolina but around the country, have raised dramatically thanks in large part to the mixing of street drugs that have easy availability.

Drug abuse, alcohol abuse or any addictive substance abuse is treatable using varied methods.

In North Carolina drug rehabilitation and full drug recovery is a multi-step process that relies on the ability of the addict and his/her family and friends to cooperate fully. It also has many programs that can be found in treatment centers around the state. The success rate for these programs has been high, especially when family members are included in the planning stages. Having a therapist who can assist in building an addict's self esteem is only one step in the process. Support of family is vital in the treatment of drug addiction. These programs provide additioinal information on related issues.

Addiction recovery rates can rise when states such as North Carolina understand the problems inherent in treatment programs. Halfway houses are a part of the concept and addicts, once they released from intensive withdrawal programs, can find a more normal and useful life in mixed society while having a counselor on hand should the urge return.