# data[].attributes.headline
 Where can I find information about
     drug treatment programs
?

# data[].attributes.subject
 Where can I find information about
     drug treatment programs
?

# data[].attributes.body
For referrals to treatment programs, call 1-800-662-HELP, or visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration online

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samhsa behavioral health treatment services locators

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SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator

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An online source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance abuse/addiction and/or mental health problems.

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How do I know if someone is addicted to
drugs?

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How do I know if someone is addicted to
drugs?

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If a person is seeking and using a drug despite negative consequences, such as loss of job, debt, physical problems brought on by drug abuse, or family problems, then he or she probably is addicted. Each drug has short-term and long-term physical effects. And while some of these effects can be seen, others can not. It is therefore important that if you suspect a loved one is addicted then you should seek help.

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Drug Abuse and Addiction: Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction

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Do you or someone you love have a problem with substance abuse? Explore the warning signs and how to get the best help.

# data[].attributes.headline
 Are there effective treatments for
     drug addiction?

# data[].attributes.subject
 Are there effective treatments for
     drug addiction?

# data[].attributes.body
Yes, there are treatments that have been shown effective for drug addiction, but many times addicts will need to repeat the treatment course several times before achieving success

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Photo by ©iStock

There are effective treatments that support tobacco cessation, including both behavioral therapies and FDA-approved medications. FDA-approved pharmacotherapies include various forms of nicotine replacement therapy as well as bupropion and varenicline. Research indicates that smokers who receive a combination of behavioral treatment and cessation medications quit at higher rates than those who receive minimal intervention.37,40,163-168 Interventions such as brief advice from a health care worker, telephone helplines, automated text messaging, and printed self-help materials can also facilitate smoking cessation. Cessation interventions utilizing mobile devices and social media also show promise in boosting tobacco cessation. It is important for cessation treatment to be as personalized as possible, as some people smoke to avoid negative effects of withdrawal while others are more driven by the rewarding aspects of smoking.

The prevalence of tobacco use and dependence among adolescents-as well as the neurobiological impact and medical consequences of nicotine exposure-suggest that pediatric primary care settings should deliver tobacco cessation treatments to both youth and parents who use tobacco. Current clinical guidance does not recommend medications for adolescent tobacco cessation because of a lack of high-quality studies; however, a combination of behavioral treatments-such as motivational enhancement and CBT-has shown promise for helping adolescents quit tobacco. More well-designed smoking cessation studies need to be conducted with adolescent smokers, particularly in the area of pharmacologic treatments for nicotine dependence.

Behavioral Treatments

Behavioral counseling is typically provided by specialists in smoking cessation for four to eight sessions. Both in-person and telephone counseling have been found beneficial for patients who are also using cessation medications. A variety of approaches to smoking cessation counseling are available.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) -In MI, counselors help patients explore and resolve their ambivalence about quitting smoking and enhance their motivation to make healthy changes. MI is patient-focused and nonconfrontational, and providers point out discrepancies between patients' goals or values and their current behaviors. They adjust to patients' resistance to change and support self-efficacy and optimism. Studies of MI suggest that this intervention results in higher quit rates than brief advice to stop smoking or usual care.

Telephone support and quitlines-As part of tobacco control efforts, all states offer toll-free telephone numbers (or quitlines) with smoking cessation counselors who provide information and support (800-QUIT-NOW or 800-784-8669). Studies of quitline interventions indicate that smokers who call quitlines benefit from these services, particularly when a counselor calls them back for multiple sessions. There is limited evidence on the optimal number of calls needed, but smokers who participated in three or more calls had a greater likelihood of quitting, compared with those who only received educational materials, brief advice, or pharmacotherapy alone. Quitlines have also been shown to help smokeless tobacco cessation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides a Smoking Quitline (877-44U-QUIT or 877-448-7848), as well as more information and tools for quitting (including text messages and other telephone-based support) at https://smokefree.gov/.

Text messaging, web-based services, and social media support -Technology, including mobile phones, internet, and social media platforms can be used to provide smoking cessation interventions. These technologies have the power to increase access to care by extending the work of counselors and overcoming the geographical barriers that may deter people from entering treatment.

A review of the literature on technology-based smoking cessation interventions (internet, personal computer, and mobile telephone) found that these supports can increase the likelihood of adults quitting, compared with no intervention or self-help information, and they can be a cost-effective adjunct to other treatments. A technology does not necessarily have to be recent or highly sophisticated to help boost cessation rates. For example, studies suggest that adults who receive encouragement, advice, and quitting tips via text-message-a capability on even the most basic mobile devices-show improved quit rates compared with control programs.

Among adult tobacco users who called a state quitline, most selected an integrated phone/web cessation program in favor of a web-only intervention. Participants who chose the web-only option tended to be younger and healthier smokers, with a higher socioeconomic status. These participants tended to interact intensely with the site once, but did not re-engage as much as those who opted for the phone/web combination. A review of internet-based smoking cessation programs for adults suggested that interactive internet-based interventions that are tailored to individual needs can help people quit for 6 months or longer. Future research should determine the effectiveness of different technologies for smoking cessation support among populations that may be hard to reach, including those of low socioeconomic status and adults older than age 50.

Technology-based cessation interventions are particularly relevant to young adults aged 18 to 25-about 3.2 million of whom smoked daily in 2016. A systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized trials of technology-based interventions-including computer programs, internet, telephone, and text messaging-for smoking cessation among this population found that they increased abstinence by 1.5 times that of comparison subjects. Researchers recommend embedding cessation interventions in commonly used social networking platforms, and there has been some exploratory work in this area. Results of a trial with a relatively small number of participants suggested that Facebook was an accessible, low-cost platform for engaging young adults considering cessation. However, the study pointed to challenges in maintaining participation, retaining young people in the program, and the need for gender-specific features. A randomized controlled trial has been designed to test a stage-based smoking cessation intervention on Facebook tailored for smokers aged 18 to 25. Participants will be recruited online, randomly assigned to a Facebook group according to their readiness to quit, and will receive tailored daily messages and weekly counseling. The study will assess the intervention's impact on abstinence from smoking 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, number of cigarettes smoked, quit attempts lasting 24 hours or more, and commitment to abstinence.

Smoking Cessation for Pregnant Women

Given the risks associated with smoking during pregnancy, but also the challenges faced by all smokers when trying to quit, researchers have studied an array of approaches to improve cessation rates for this population. Many women are motivated to quit during pregnancy, but like other smokers, most will need assistance.

Studies show that behavioral treatments are effective, whereas pharmacotherapies have only marginal success. A combination of incentives and behavioral counseling is most effective for pregnant women. Adding vouchers to routine care (which included free nicotine replacement therapy for 10 weeks and four weekly support phone calls) more than doubled cessation rates during pregnancy. Pooled results of behavioral intervention studies indicate that treatment reduced preterm births and the proportion of infants born with low birth weight, compared with usual care. This finding is supported by an analysis of pooled results from studies with economically disadvantaged pregnant smokers, which found that voucher-based incentives improved sonographically estimated fetal growth, birth weight, percentage of low-birth-weight deliveries, and breastfeeding duration.

Medications

Photo by ©istock.com/ HconQ

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)-A variety of formulations of nicotine NRTs are available over the counter-including the transdermal patch, spray, gum, and lozenges-and are equally effective for cessation.37,38,198,199 NRTs stimulate the brain receptors targeted by nicotine, helping relieve nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings that lead to relapse. Many people use NRT to help them get through the early stages of cessation, and those with more severe nicotine addiction can benefit from longer-term treatment. Use of NRT improves smoking cessation outcomes, and adding behavioral therapies further increases quit rates. A combination of continual nicotine delivery through the transdermal patch and one other form of nicotine taken as needed (e.g., lozenge, gum, nasal spray, inhaler) has been found to be more effective at relieving withdrawal symptoms and cravings than a single type of NRT. Researchers estimate that NRT increases quit rates by 50 to 70 percent. Using the patch for up to 24 weeks has been shown to be safe.

Bupropion -Bupropion (immediate-release and extended-release) was originally approved as an antidepressant. It works by inhibiting the reuptake of the brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine as well as stimulating their release. Bupropion has been found to increase quit rates compared with placebo in both short- and long-term follow-up studies and is indicated for smoking cessation. It is equally effective to NRT.

Varenicline -Varenicline helps reduce nicotine cravings by stimulating the alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic receptor but to a lesser degree than nicotine. Varenicline boosts the odds of successfully quitting, compared with unassisted attempts. Varenicline increased the likelihood of quitting compared with placebo, and some studies find that it is more effective than single forms of NRT and bupropion. In a primary care setting, 44 percent of patients on varenicline, either alone or combined with counseling, were abstinent at the 2-year follow-up. Patients who participated in group therapy and adhered to the medication were more likely to remain abstinent. Research also suggests that this medication may be more effective than bupropion.

Promising medications and ongoing research -NIDA supports research to develop new and improve current treatment options for smoking cessation based on a growing understanding of the neurobiology of addiction. In the area of medications, research is focusing on the receptors targeted by nicotine and the brain circuits and regions known to influence nicotine consumption. Newer brain targets-including the orexin and glutamate signaling systems-have also shown promise for medication treatment. Repurposing medications already on the market for other indications may also prove useful in the search for new smoking cessation therapies. This approach has been successful in the past, as bupropion was an established antidepressant before the FDA approved it as a smoking cessation medication. One current candidate is N-acetylcysteine, a medication for acetaminophen overdose, which has shown promise as a treatment for various substance use disorders-including nicotine dependence. Another approach that could prevent relapse and that has shown promise in early studies is a nicotine vaccine, which would generate antibodies that keep nicotine from reaching the brain.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a relatively new approach being tested to treat addiction. It is a physiological intervention that noninvasively stimulates neural activity in targeted areas of the brain using magnetic fields. Multiple TMS pulses given consecutively are referred to as repetitive TMS (rTMS). The FDA has approved two rTMS devices for depression treatment in adults.

Research on rTMS as a treatment for smoking cessation is in early stages but has shown promise. Among adult smokers who had not been able to quit using other treatments, high-frequency TMS treatment significantly reduced the number of cigarettes smoked. Combining high-frequency TMS with exposure to smoking cues improved effectiveness and boosted the overall abstinence rate to 44 percent at the end of the treatment. Six months after treatment, 33 percent of participants remained abstinent from cigarettes. Future randomized controlled clinical trials with large numbers of patients will be needed to establish its efficacy for smoking cessation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What are treatments for tobacco dependence?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Photo by ©iStock There are effective treatments that support tobacco cessation, including both behavioral therapies and FDA-approved medications. FDA-approved pharmacotherapies include various forms of nicotine replacement therapy as well as bupropion and varenicline.

# data[].attributes.headline
 When is the best time to get someone
     into treatment?

# data[].attributes.subject
 When is the best time to get someone
     into treatment?

# data[].attributes.body
an addicted individual must hit "rock bottom" to be ready for treatment.  Helping someone get help early in their addiction cycle will result in  fewer accompanying psychological and physical problems and a better prognosis for long-term recovery.  Furthermore, "rock bottom" is a dangerous place to be because for many addicts, that point is when a near-fatal or fatal overdose, serious accident or criminal justice consequence has occurred.

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There are no simple answers as to why some people develop an addiction and others don't, but most experts agree that there are contributing psychological, biological and genetic components. Fortunately, with recent scientific advancements in our understanding of addiction, treatment programs that address both the biological and psychosocial dimensions can be very successful.

Looking at these four major types of symptoms of alcohol and drug addicts may provide some insight:

1. Loss of control - The inability to limit use despite the negative consequences

2. Cravings - An overwhelming psychological need or compulsion to drink or use any other mood-altering substance

3. Physical dependence - When attempting to stop using, there are withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shaking, or anxiety

4. Tolerance - The need for larger amounts of mood-altering chemicals to achieve the same effect

Click here to learn more.

Substance abuse is common in today's society, especially with alcohol. Abuse starts with a person using drugs or alcohol more frequently and, at intermittent times, it gets out of control. Telling signs of abuse include becoming argumentative, getting into a fight, having a wreck, becoming uncharacteristically promiscuous or adversely impacting a job or relationship.

Once a person loses the ability to willingly stop using or drinking, they are now dealing with the disease of addiction. This lack of self-control is one of the key indications that the drugs or alcohol have damaged the brain in both structure and function, making it physically impossible for the individual to stop using on their own for any prolonged length of time. By this point, since the brain has been damaged, it is highly unlikely that traditional twelve-step programs could work for any significant length of time.

Click here to learn more.

30 years ago, the scientific and medical communities didn't know as much about addiction and the brain as they do today. Part of what we've learned is that, for millions of people, overcoming addiction is not about a lack of will power or a lack of discipline. It's about their brains being literally injured and their brain chemistry being physically altered.

This has led the scientific community to acknowledge addiction as a chronic and progressive brain disease. And that means that treating addiction may require medicine, just like any other disease. Therapy is necessary for recovery, but it's not going to heal the brain. Believing therapy alone will work is one of the primary reasons so many people struggle and relapse.

Click here to learn more.

We understand that residential rehab is disruptive to families, careers and everyday life. But that's the point. If a thorough assessment leads to a medical prescription or recommendation of residential care for your loved one, it's because their brain needs disrupting in order to break the harmful patterns it has created. Every patient is unique, of course, but medical studies show that the optimal amount of time needed to reboot the brain's chemistry and rewire its neurological pathways is about 45 to 90 days. We realize that sounds like a lot, but isn't two to three months of effort now worth a lifetime of sobriety?

In addition, people who enter residential treatment typically have problems that require combined medical, psychological and/or physical therapies over a sustained period of time in a controlled environment. Residential treatment is often the most practical and effective course of action.

Click here to learn more.

It is a myth that an addicted individual must hit "rock bottom" to be ready for treatment. Helping your loved one get help early in their addiction cycle will result in fewer accompanying psychological and physical problems and a better prognosis for long-term recovery. Furthermore, "rock bottom" is a dangerous place to be; for many addicts, that point is when a near-fatal or fatal overdose, serious accident or criminal justice consequence has occurred.

Click here to learn more.

Science has detected approximately 12 to 15 different types of alcoholism and 12 to 25 types of narcotic addiction. Depending upon the type of addiction, anti-addiction medicines may be the only solution. Simply put, the brain's chemistry has been altered and needs re-balancing.

Research shows that combining anti-addiction medicines with evidence-based behavioral therapies is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Treatment approaches personalized to address each person's abuse patterns and co-occurring medical, psychiatric and social problems can lead to sustained recovery and a life without addiction.

It is important to remember that addiction is a chronic and progressive disease -- like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease -- and can be managed successfully. Medically based treatments allow people to recover most - if not all - of their functionality, counteracting addiction's powerful disruptive effects and enabling people to regain control of their lives. As with other chronic diseases, of course, relapses will occur if you stop following the treatment protocols.

Click here to learn more.

We have put together a list of ten questions you should ask of any treatment program, including Enterhealth Ranch. Click here to learn more.

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the way addiction is
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# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There are no simple answers as to why some people develop an addiction and others don't, but most experts agree that there are contributing psychological, biological and genetic components. Fortunately, with recent scientific advancements in our understanding of addiction, treatment programs that address both the biological and psychosocial dimensions can be very successful.

# data[].attributes.headline
 If a pregnant woman abuses drugs,
     does it affect the fetus?

# data[].attributes.subject
 If a pregnant woman abuses drugs,
     does it affect the fetus?

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It is likely your substance use is having a negative effect on your unborn child because the effects of the drug is transferred to the fetus through the placenta. This is true whether the substance is alcohol, nicotine, illegal drugs or prescription medications.

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Question: What About the First Weeks of Pregnancy?

Answer: What are the effects of alcohol on a fetus during the very first weeks -- before a woman would know that she was pregnant?

Unfortunately, there is conflicting research regarding the effect of drinking alcohol during the first, early weeks of pregnancy has on the fetus. There are some studies that show alcohol consumption during the first few weeks of pregnancy - that time when you may not even know that you a pregnant yet - can harm the development of the baby.

Then again, there are other studies that claim that drinking during those early day does not harm the fetus at that stage of development.

Study Finds No Adverse Effects

A study of 5,628 pregnant women in England, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia found that women who drink during the early weeks of pregnancy did not put their babies at risk for premature birth or low birth weight. Nor, did they put themselves at risk for high blood pressure complications during pregnancy.

Even among the women who reported having more than seven drinks a week - about 15% of the study group - the rates of premature birth and low-birth-weight babies were the same as those women who did not drink.

It should be noted that this study met with a great deal of controversy when it was published in October 2013.

Even Low-Level Drinking Dangerous?

A year later, another study conducted by the University of Leeds in England found that even women who drank low-level amounts of alcohol during the first weeks of pregnancy ran the risk of premature or unexpectedly small babies.

In the study of 1,264 pregnant women, even mothers who drank as few as two drinks a week, ran a greater risk of premature births and low-weight births, compared to those who did not drink.

Pattern of Drinking Is Significant

However, over the years, studies of fetal alcohol syndrome have found that it is the mother's pattern of drinking that has the most affect on the unborn child.

The pattern and timing of prenatal alcohol use can greatly influence the impact of adverse effects on the fetus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most dangerous patterns of drinking to the baby are chronic drinking, heavy drinking and binge drinking.

Key Time of Development

Many body parts and organs are developing in the embryonic stage of pregnancy which begins at fertilization through week 8. During the first 4 weeks of pregnancy - when most women are not aware that they are pregnant - the heart, central nervous system, eyes, arms, and legs of the fetus are developing. In addition, developing organ systems may be more vulnerable to damage at the very early stages of development.

Because no one knows definitively how much or little alcohol can affect the development of your developing baby, even in the first early first weeks, the best advice continues to be quitting all alcohol consumption as soon as you intend to become pregnant or as soon as you find out that you are pregnant.
Nykjaer, C. et al "Maternal alcohol intake prior to and during pregnancy and risk of adverse birth outcomes: evidence from a British cohort." Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health March 2014 McCarthy, FP, et al "Association Between Maternal Alcohol Consumption in Early Pregnancy and Pregnancy Outcomes." Obstetrics & Gynecology October 2013

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What About Drinking in the First Weeks of Pregnancy?

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Question: What About the First Weeks of Pregnancy? Answer: What are the effects of alcohol on a fetus during the very first weeks -- before a woman would know that she was pregnant? Unfortunately, there is conflicting research regarding the effect of drinking alcohol during the first, early weeks of pregnancy has on the fetus.

# data[].attributes.headline
 What happens to your brain if you
     keep taking drugs?

# data[].attributes.subject
 What happens to your brain if you
     keep taking drugs?

# data[].attributes.body
can cause the nerve cells to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters, or prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals, which is needed to shut off the signal between neurons.

# data[].attributes.headline
 Why do some people become addicted,
     while others do not./?

# data[].attributes.subject
 Why do some people become addicted,
     while others do not./?

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There are many factors like biology your families past, environment, and deevelopment.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Do Some Get Addicted While Others Don't?

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Why Do Some Get Addicted While Others Don't? Generally, the more a person uses drugs, the more he risks precipitating the changes in the brain's Reward System that result in addiction. ...

# data[].attributes.headline
 Other than addiction, what are some
     other health consequences of abusing drugs?

# data[].attributes.subject
 Other than addiction, what are some
     other health consequences of abusing drugs?

# data[].attributes.body
Drug abuse can cause mental health problems and can affect every major system in the human body.

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There ae very clear laws on drugs in every country with very hard sentenses. Find out more here.

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When the brain is exposed to drugs, a variety of systems are compromised, since the communications network that runs them is impaired. There are at least two ways in which drugs disrupt communication in the brain: Imitating natural neurotransmitters and Over-stimulating the reward system by flooding the circuit with dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter present in regions of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, motivation, and feelings of pleasure

# data[].attributes.headline
 What are withdrawal and
     detoxification ("detox")?

# data[].attributes.subject
 What are withdrawal and
     detoxification ("detox")?

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a medical Drug detoxification is necessary to remove the remaining drugs from your system and to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal.

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Alcohol and Drug Detox Centers in Houston - Opiate Detox

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In detox centers like PaRC safety is most important. Memorial Hermann PaRC drug detox Houston offers medically supervised drug detox for adults and teens.

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Addiction is a brain disease because drugs change the brain. In the structure and in function.

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Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease that affects the brain and causes compulsive drug craving, seeking, and use despite harmful and often devastating consequences.

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Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.

What Is drug addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person's self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease-people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.

It's common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn't work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient's changing needs.

Image by NIDA The brain's reward circuit

What happens to the brain when a person takes drugs?

Most drugs affect the brain's "reward circuit" by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. This reward system controls the body's ability to feel pleasure and motivates a person to repeat behaviors needed to thrive, such as eating and spending time with loved ones. This overstimulation of the reward circuit causes the intensely pleasurable "high" that can lead people to take a drug again and again.

As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine by making less of it and/or reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. This reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug-an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high. It can also cause them to get less pleasure from other things they once enjoyed, like food or social activities.

Long-term use also causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well, affecting functions that include:

Despite being aware of these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them, which is the nature of addiction.

Why do some people become addicted to drugs while others don't?

No one factor can predict if a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:

Biology. The genes that people are born with account for about half of a person's risk for addiction. Gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may also influence risk for drug use and addiction.

Environment. A person's environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to economic status and general quality of life. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person's likelihood of drug use and addiction.

Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person's life to affect addiction risk. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to addiction. This is particularly problematic for teens. Because areas in their brains that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, teens may be especially prone to risky behaviors, including trying drugs.

Can drug addiction be cured or prevented?

As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally isn't a cure. However, addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. People who are recovering from an addiction will be at risk for relapse for years and possibly for their whole lives. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medicines with behavioral therapy ensures the best chance of success for most patients. Treatment approaches tailored to each patient's drug use patterns and any co-occurring medical, mental, and social problems can lead to continued recovery.

More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction. Although personal events and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people view drug use as harmful, they tend to decrease their drug taking. Therefore, education and outreach are key in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

Points to Remember

Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.

Brain changes that occur over time with drug use challenge an addicted person's self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. This is why drug addiction is also a relapsing disease.

Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. Relapse indicates the need for more or different treatment.

Most drugs affect the brain's reward circuit by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. This overstimulation of the reward circuit causes the intensely pleasurable "high" that leads people to take a drug again and again.

Over time, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine, which reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug-an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high.

No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.

Drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed.

More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

Learn more

For information about understanding drug use and addiction, visit:

For more information about the costs of drug abuse to the United States, visit:

For more information about prevention, visit:

For more information about treatment, visit:

To find a publicly funded treatment center in your state, call 1-800-662-HELP or visit:

This publication is available for your use and may be reproduced in its entirety without permission from the NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated, using the following language: Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will.

# data[].attributes.headline
 Where can I learn more about the
     science of drug addiction?

# data[].attributes.subject
 Where can I learn more about the
     science of drug addiction?

# data[].attributes.body
The booklet from the NIDA called Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction.

# data[].attributes.headline
 What are the costs of substance abuse
     to society?

# data[].attributes.subject
 What are the costs of substance abuse
     to society?

# data[].attributes.body
half a trillion dollars annually: approximately $181 billion for illicit drugs, $168 billion for tobacco, and $185 billion for alcohol

# data[].attributes.body
Cigarettes

marijuana

steroids

alcohol

Ecstasy