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. Drug and alcohol treatment specialists often fight an uphill battle in their attempt to help gang affiliated addicts break the cycle of substance abuse.