| Description: | Drug addiction is a chronic disease that changes the brain circuits, including those responsible for governing self-control and other behaviors. Quitting drugs, even with the best intentions and strongest will is very difficult, since drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse. Alcoholism is when you have trouble controlling your drinking, you are preoccupied with alcohol, you continue to use alcohol even when it causes problems in your life (job, relationships, health, etc.), you have to drink more to get the same effect, or you have withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking. Drug addiction is a biological problem that causes changes in the brain after long term drug abuse, making it difficult to abstain from drugs without getting treatment. Alcoholism and addiction are chronic diseases that can be managed successfully with ongoing treatment. Treatment has helped millions of people stop drinking and drugging, rebuild their lives and live a life in long-term recovery. Like other diseases, it is not always cured. |
