Nonetheless, in many countries, and more specifically, in the United States, substance addiction and abuse is seen as a public health problem and legal issue, and not as a disease. There is a great necessity for the government to have a better, more balanced approach toward this social problem. A change in the current policies and attitudes will help in the prevention and treatment of these types of mental disorders. Furthermore, by exploring alternative avenues toward the issue of substance abuse and addiction, the government will also assist addicts in their recovery process, and will search for reforms to the criminal justice system. By doing so, the vicious circle created by mental health, substance abuse, criminal behavior, jail, release, and recidivism, may be broken for once and for all.…