Addiction is often misunderstood. The fact is, addiction is a disease that impacts the brain. Drugs and alcohol can change the brain to foster compulsive abuse that affects social and economic circumstances. Many people believe that addicts can stop if they are simply willing to change their behavior. However, stopping the abuse of drugs or alcohol is not a simple matter of willpower. Addiction treatment usually requires a combination of medication and therapy that must go beyond the addictive behavior. It is not usually conquered without support.
