Basic concepts of treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependence and how they are counteracted by the legalizing debate.

Basic treatment of drug dependent patients begins with detoxification and diagnosis of drug related and drug induced diseases. The therapeutic approach has to be oriented on the career of drug addiction itself and constitutional psychopathology. Patients must undergo specialized care if the drug dependence is complicated by accompanying diseases. All patients experience a life without drugs on rehabilitation programs. Treatment is defined both by a highly structured milieu and by the intention of getting the patient acquainted to a self-determined life. Subsequently, a carefully designed follow-up program is needed. Present debates about legalization of drugs diminish the readiness of the youth to do without drugs.