Addiction Science | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Addiction Science | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Brief Description

Many people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. It is often mistakenly assumed that drug abusers lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will. In fact, because drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is difficult, even for those who are ready to do so. Through scientific advances, we know more about how drugs work in the brain than ever, and we also know that drug addiction can be successfully treated to help people stop abusing drugs and lead productive lives.  Learn more

Read about the latest advances in addiction research in Nature Outlook: Addiction, a special supplement co-sponsored by NIDA and NIAAA. View the entire supplement at: http://www.nature.com/nature/outlook/addiction/. For a commentary authored by NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow and NIAAA Director Dr. George F. Koob, go to http://www.nature.com/nature/outlook/addiction/
pdf/NIDA_NIH.pdf (PDF,108KB).

The brain disease model of addiction is strongly supported by scientific evidence, according to a commentary - “Brain disease model of addiction: why is it so controversial?” , published in The Lancet Psychiatry by NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow and NIAAA Director Dr. George Koob.

Explaining Addiction

Why Are Drugs So Hard to Quit

• En Español

Anyone Can Become Addicted to Drugs

• En Español

IRP Researchers Spotlight

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2014 Intel Addiction Science Winners

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Related Publications

Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood

Revised March 2016. This guide, intended for parents, practitioners, and policymakers, begins with a list of 7 principles addressing the specific ways in which early interventions can have positive effects on development; these principles reflect findings on the influence of intervening early with vulnerable populations, on the course of child development, and on common elements of early childhood programs.

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction

Published April 2007. Revised July 2014. 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

Understanding Drug Use and Addiction

Revised August 2016. Provides an overview of drug use and addiction, including what happens in the brain during drug use, why some people become addicted while others don’t, and the importance of prevention. En Español

Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction: What Science Says

Revised February 2016. The third in a 5-part series, reviews the science behind drug abuse and addiction and introduces the topics of prevention and treatment.

The Brain: Understanding Neurobiology Through the Study of Addiction

Published January 2000. Revised March 2010. Equips teachers and students in grades 9 through 12 with interactive curriculum on the neurobiology of the brain as a result of drug abuse and addiction.

View all related publications

Related NIDA Notes Articles

• Why Do People Lose Control Over Their Cocaine Use? (September 2016)
• A Case for Studying Brain Asymmetry in Drug Use (September 2016)
• Regular Marijuana Use Is Associated With Differences in Brain Gray Matter and Connectivity (September 2016)

View more related NIDA Notes

Related News Releases

• Journal issue addresses nonmedical use of prescription drugs (December 2016)
• NIDA-NIAAA Mini-Convention: Frontiers in Addiction Research (November 2016)
• Recruitment begins for landmark study of adolescent brain development (September 2016)

View more related News Releases

Related Resources

• Mental Health and Addiction Insurance Help - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Other Resources

• MEDLINEplus Health Information on Drug Abuse - National Library of Medicine, NIH
• www.abovetheinfluence.com - Office of National Drug Control Policy
• healthfinder.gov - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies in human volunteers conducted to answer specific health questions. Learn about the NIH-sponsored clinical trials available to you.

• NIDA Clinical Trial Locator - answer a few simple questions and get contact information for Clinical Trials near you.

Other Clinical Trials information sources:

• NIH Clinical Trials and You - NIH site that helps explain about clinical trials and why people participate.
• NIDA Trials at ClinicalTrials.gov - a resource of federally and privately supported clinical trials.
• Clinical Research Studies from the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) - a NIDA coordinated network of research institutions conducting human trials on drug abuse solutions.
• Research Studies at NIDA Intramural Research Program - located in Baltimore, Maryland.