☺ The Facts about Drug Addiction ☺

A drug addiction is a disorder that causes you to use drugs compulsively. Often, those suffering from a drug addiction have an uncontrollable need to use drugs, sometimes even though he or she knows it's not good for them. It may be hard for those around a drug addict to understand why the person doesn't just stop and why he or she continues with this self-destructive behavior, but the fact is that repeated drug abuse actually alters the brain. These changes in the brain cause you to lose your ability to think clearly or use good judgment. It can control how you behave as well.

How an Addiction Develops

The path to addiction can be slow. It can start out with a curiosity about how doing drugs would make you feel. Maybe you have friends who use drugs and they encourage you to try it. It could also be because you're going through a hard time and you think drugs will make you feel better. As times goes on, it shifts from a choice you make to a need — your body craves it and it no longer feels like a choice. It feels like chains wrapped around you preventing you from moving and the only way to release yourself is by getting high.

Myths about Drug Addiction

There are many myths out there about what drug addiction is. One myth is that if you really wanted to, you could stop using drugs. Depending on how much that drug has altered your brain, this might not be possible. That's why drug addiction recovery programs were created — to help you rid yourself of the chains of addiction. Another myth is that addiction is a disease and there's nothing you can do. This also isn't true. It is a disease, but there are treatments for it including therapy, medication, and exercise.