When it comes to Abuse, we've been there, done that, now serving 1 tips in 1 categories ranging from Answer User Questions to Answer User Questions.
Sadly, many people view substance abuse as a characater problem. Society tends to view people that are addicted to drugs and alcohol as individuals who are weak or who may have criminal minds. Society also tends to presume that an addict can give up drugs or alcohol if they wanted.
These views on substance abuse are wrong. Substance abuse crosses all social, economic, ethnic, age and gender lines and is no respector of persons. Substance abuse is a disease that should be treated and viewed as a disease -- not as a mark on someone's character.