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Addiction Science

Brief Description

Recent scientific advances have revolutionized our understanding of drug abuse and addiction, which is now recognized as a chronic relapsing brain disease. NIDA’s publications offer a plain language view of how the brain, body and behavior respond to drugs of abuse, and include advances in addiction treatment.

 

Explaining Addiction

Why Are Drugs So Hard to Quit

Anyone Can Become Addicted to Drugs

Related Publications

Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction (DrugFacts)

Revised November 2011.
Provides an overview of drug abuse and addiction, including what happens in the brain during drug abuse, why some people become addicted and others don’t, and the importance of prevention. En Español

Publication Cover

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction

Published April 2007. Revised August 2010.
Provides 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. En Español

Cover: Addiction Science: From Molecules to Managed Care

Addiction Science: From Molecules to Managed Care

Published July 2008.
Explores the science behind such questions as what is addiction, why do people abuse drugs, and how does drug use change the brain, as well as research-based information about prevention, treatment, relapse, and HIV/AIDS.

Other Resources

Past information on many drugs of abuse is available on our Archives site.

This page was last updated December 2012

    Easy-to-read drug facts site: easyread.drugabuse.gov

    Featured Publication

    Featured Publication

    Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction

    As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior.

    Addiction Science Award