Fighting diseases is the primary healthcare issue in the country. What many people do not realize is that drug and alcohol abuse and addiction are considered diseases by the professionals in health care. Therapists are only too well aware of this fact, but like other chronic diseases, they have found that substance abuse is treatable. The primary difference is that someone with an addiction has to admit to that addiction before treatment can begin. Family or friends doing intervention is often the key to getting an addict to admit to the problem.

Utah, along with the rest of the country, has a growing problem with substance abuse. Drug rehab centers have been created to assist in the treatment of these addictions. Utah's hospitals have on staff many doctors who specialize in drug and alcohol related addictions and who can see an addict through the first steps of treatment, including detox, which is the hardest step in the process.

With psychologists for therapy, the root of the addictive personality is revealed and from that point on, the healing process becomes easier. Utah'sDepartment of Human Services-Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health has created both prevention and treatment programs to help stop abuse before it begins and to help bring addicts back to a productive life. Through education in schools to sober living houses and counselors, Utah is reconnecting its addicts one at a time as its success rate grows.