This article was written to highlight the phenomenon of drug addiction in Poland and those struggling with the disease of addiction. It focuses on three main objectives: 1) an attempt to create a profile of a drug addict, i.e. to characterize addicts, based on the identification of their common characteristics; 2) the juxtaposition of this profile with the views and stereotypes prevailing in society about drug users; 3) Polish drug policy and, in particular, the approach of the judiciary to this problem. The use of health-promoting solutions for addicts – as an alternative to punishment – was discussed. The research used the method of individual cases combined with the monographic method and a diagnostic survey
