“Addiction should be understood as a chronic recurring illness that requires treatment.” Alan I. Leshner, MD, former head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at The National Institutes of Health Recovery Resources to assist those of you struggling with substance abuse issues Message Board to share concerns about your use of drugs and alcohol This picture of Jacob Waletzky and his mother Lucy was taken at the Hazelden Center for Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation in Minnesota. Jacob was there for treatment of cocaine and heroin addiction for 30 days. He derived a great deal of benefit and after he left the last four months of his life were happy, productive and sober. Despite faithfully following his 12 step program he had a tragic relapse and died May 20, 2001 from a cocaine induced cardiac arrhythmia. As research translates into improved treatments, highly motivated, determined and intelligent people like Jacob will no longer die from the effects of heroin and cocaine addiction.