Drug addiction

Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be long lasting. These changes in the brain can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who use drugs. Drug addiction is also a relapsing disease. Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop.

Overview

Drug addiction is a complex illness. It is characterized by intense and, at times, uncontrollable drug craving, along with compulsive drug seeking and use that persist even in the face of devastating consequences. While the path to drug addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs, over time a person's ability to choose not to do so becomes compromised, and seeking and consuming the drug becomes compulsive. This behavior results largely from the effects of prolonged drug exposure on brain functioning.

Causes

Drug addiction is caused by a variety of factors including genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and the nature of the drug itself. Some drugs, such as opioids and alcohol, have a higher risk of addiction than others.

Symptoms

Symptoms of drug addiction may include a strong desire to use the drug, increased tolerance to the drug, presence of withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not used, unsuccessful attempts to quit using the drug, neglecting other activities because of drug use, and continued use of the drug despite physical or psychological harm.

Treatment

Treatment for drug addiction may involve medications, behavioral therapies, or a combination of both. Medications can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms, prevent relapse, and treat co-occurring conditions. Behavioral therapies can help motivate people to participate in drug treatment, offer strategies for coping with drug cravings, teach ways to avoid drugs and prevent relapse, and help individuals deal with relapse if it occurs.

See also

• Substance abuse
• Alcoholism
• Opioid addiction
• Drug rehabilitation

References

Drug addiction Resources
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