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What is Drug Addiction?

From National Institute on Drug Abuse, for About.com

Updated: November 21, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Question: What is Drug Addiction?
Answer: Drug addiction is a complex brain disease. It is characterized by compulsive, at times uncontrollable, drug craving, seeking, and use that persist even in the face of extremely negative consequences.

Drug seeking becomes compulsive, in large part as a result of the effects of prolonged drug use on brain functioning and, thus, on behavior. For many people, drug addiction becomes chronic, with relapses possible even after long periods of abstinence.

For more information see Exploring Myths about Drug Abuse.

Back to: Drug Abuse FAQ

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Alcoholism

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