Substance use disorder, commonly called drug abuse and addiction, is considered to be a complex multifaceted condition where individuals compulsively seek and use mood altering substances despite the harmful consequences to them and to those around them. Although the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary, the pleasure pathways in the person’s brain change over time and challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense impulses to use drugs.
There is currently no cure for addiction, but it is treatable. With the right support and treatment, people struggling with addiction can learn to manage their condition and lead healthy and productive lives.