| Addiction is the physical need for a | | | | alcoholism and substance abuse are |
| substance (physiological substance | | | | strongly linked with high-risk sexual |
| dependence). Even when use of a drug | | | | behavior that leads to HIV transmission. |
| does not create physical addiction, some | | | | The crisis is particularly acute among |
| people may overuse, or abuse, it because | | | | the nation's young people. Individuals |
| it gives them temporary self-confidence, | | | | aged 15 to 24 have the highest rate of |
| enjoyment or relief from tension. | | | | binge and heavy drinking and are at the |
| Psychological factors such as the need | | | | highest risk for initiating illegal drug |
| to reduce stress, peer pressure, thrill | | | | use. Not surprisingly, AIDS is the |
| seeking and poor social adjustment have | | | | leading cause of death by illness among |
| all been proposed as triggers for | | | | people in this age group. |
| addictive behavior. Addiction patterns | | | | The National Institute on Drug Abuse's |
| vary according to cultural practices and | | | | recently published "Principles of |
| the social environment. | | | | Effective Drug Addiction Treatment." Is |
| A core concept evolving with scientific | | | | a guide that gives information on how to |
| advances over the past decade is that | | | | treat all aspects of the individual who |
| drug addiction is a brain disease that | | | | is addicted to alcohol and/or drugs. |
| develops over time as a result of the | | | | Similar to other brain diseases such as |
| initially voluntary behavior of drug | | | | schizophrenia and depression, the best |
| use. The consequence is virtually | | | | drug addiction programs treat the entire |
| uncontrollable, compulsive drug craving | | | | individual using medications and |
| and use that interferes and often | | | | behavioral therapies. They also provide |
| destroys an individual's ability to | | | | family therapy services to enable the |
| function in society. This medical | | | | patient to return to a successful family |
| condition demands formal treatment. | | | | life. |
| Studies overwhelmingly show that | | | | |