Addiction Is a Brain Dis-ease

Addiction is a complex brain disease with significant behavioral characteristics. Nicotine, alcohol, illicit drugs and controlled prescription drugs all affect the pleasure and reward circuitry of the brain in similar ways.

Over time, continued use of these substances can physically alter the structure and function of the brain, dramatically affect judgment and behavior and drive a compulsion to obtain and use them, even in the face of mounting negative consequences.

Growing evidence also points to structural and functional differences in the brain and to genetic factors that may predispose certain individuals to addiction.