Gang Affiliated Drug and Alcohol Treatment

The world of urban street gangs is dangerous and often without hope.  Not only are young gang-members constantly facing the possibility of jail time or death, they are also deeply ingrained in a culture that promotes alcohol and drug abuse.  Treating alcoholism and drug addiction in gang members is not easy.   There are many complicating factors in providing addiction treatment for these high-risks men and women.  Gang affiliated drug and alcohol treatment often fight an uphill battle in their attempt to help young people break the cycle of addiction.

Challenges of Gang Affiliated Drug and Alcohol Treatment

It’s not easy reaching out to a young person involved with a gang and helping them overcome their dependence on drugs or alcohol.   The process is a challenging one because:

• Image is everything.   Gang members represent the crudest form of hierarchy.   Much like in the animal kingdom, any perceived sign of weakness (such as entering into a drug rehab program) can negatively affect the individual’s position within the gang.   Perhaps the most accurate portrayal of this phenomenon came from The Sopranos, where Tony was forced to hide his psychotherapy from his comrades and rivals, lest he be perceived as weak.
• An acceptance of drug and alcohol abuse.  Gang culture includes a significant amount of nightlife.  Binge drinking and heavy drug use are both a part of the “thug life” which makes getting the individual to see things from another perspective very difficult.
• Retribution.   Gang lore states the only way an individual can leave the gang is by dying.   Trying to start a new life by getting sober is frowned upon by gang leaders, many of whom maintain a cult-like hold over lower level members.

A Unique Benefit to Gang Affiliated Treatment

The individual in a gang often feels as if they have no options.   The gang offers them money, power, family, companionship and other essentials of life that they do not receive at home.   The haze of alcohol or drug addiction only cements this point of view.   However, once an individual achieves sobriety through a drug and alcohol rehab program, their entire worldview changes.   They have a much clearer perspective on life that shows them how precious life is, and how many options await them outside of the gang.

What Happens After Gang-Affiliated Addiction Treatment?

Related Pages

• Spiritual and Religious Rehab
• Process for Addiction Rehabilitation
• The Right Treatments by Age, Gender, or Otherwise
• The Cost for Drug Treatment
• Types of Treatment Centers