[Page 287]The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), the federal agency responsible for the scientific study of drug abuse and addiction, characterizes drug addiction as a chronic illness that, for many individuals, involves a complex interaction of biological processes (long-term users will experience changes in brain function that will impact their impulse control and inhibit their ability to resist the temptation to use drugs even when aware of negative consequences for doing so), psychological stressors, and social and environmental cues. Given the complex etiology and development of drug addiction, treatment will in all likelihood be a long-term process requiring multiple interventions and long-term vigilant monitoring. The body of research examining the efficacy of drug treatment is vast and has demonstrated mixed results. There is evidence ...