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Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction

How Science Has Revolutionized the Understanding of Drug Addiction
Throughout much of the last century, scientists studying drug abuse labored in the shadows of powerful myths and misconceptions about the nature of addiction. When science began to study addictive behavior in the 1930s, people addicted to drugs were thought to be morally flawed and lacking in willpower. Those views shaped society's responses to drug abuse, treating it as a moral failing rather than a health problem, which led to an emphasis on punitive rather than preventative and therapeutic actions. Today, thanks to science, our views and our responses to drug abuse have changed dramatically. Groundbreaking discoveries about the brain have revolutionized our understanding of drug addiction, enabling us to respond effectively to the problem.

As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior. We have identified many of the biological and environmental factors and are beginning to search for the genetic variations that contribute to the development and progression of the disease. Scientists use this knowledge to develop effective prevention and treatment approaches that reduce the toll drug abuse takes on individuals, families, and communities.

"Drug addiction is a brain disease that can be treated."
Nora D. Volkow, M.D.
Director

National Institute on Drug Abuse
Despite these advances, many people today do not understand why individuals become addicted to drugs or how drugs change the brain to foster compulsive drug abuse. This booklet aims to fill that knowledge gap by providing scientific information about the disease of drug addiction, including the many harmful consequences of drug abuse and the basic approaches that have been developed to prevent and treat the disease. At the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), we believe that increased understanding of the basics of addiction will empower people to make informed choices in their own lives, adopt science-based policies and programs that reduce drug abuse and addiction in their communities, and support scientific research that improves the Nation's well-being.

Nora D. Volkow, M.D.
Director
National Institute on Drug Abuse
For more information go to: www.drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/

Prescription medication abuse

Prescription medication abuse by teens and young adults is a growing problem in the United States. As reported in the Partnership for a Drug Free America’s annual tracking study:

  • 1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription pain medication
  • 1 in 5 report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers
  • 1 in 10 has abused cough medication

Many teens think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses, but taking them without a prescription to get high or “self-medicate” can be as dangerous – and addictive – as using street narcotics and other illicit drugs.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is making sure that parents, young adults and teens know the very real risks of misusing medicine.

For more information go to www.drugfree.org

Drug Abuse in the Workplace Demographics

Current employment status is highly correlated with rates of illicit drug use, according to results from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use & Health. Of adults over age 18 who reported current illicit drug use (at least once in the past month)—74.6% were employed, either full or part-time. This number represents more than 12.4 million individuals. An estimated 17.4% of unemployed adults (age 18 and older) were current illicit drug users in 2002, compared with 8.2% of full-time employed adults and 10.5% among part-time employed adults.
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You Can Quit

Nicotine is a powerful addiction. If you have tried to quit, you know how hard it can be. People who are trying to quit smoking go through both physical and psychological withdrawal. Here are some tips for quitting.
Tips for the first week: Read More...