Drug addicts are often seen as morally flawed or lacking in willpower. These views have shaped society's responses to drug abuse, treating it as a moral failing rather than a health problem. This has led to an emphasis on punishment rather than preventative and rehabilitative actions.
However, we now know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior. Biological and environmental factors have been identified, and scientists are beginning to search for the genetic variations that contribute to the development and progression of the disease. Scientists use this knowledge to develop effective prevention and treatment approaches that reduce the toll drug abuse takes on individuals, families, and communities.
Abuse and addiction to alcohol, nicotine, and illegal substances cost Americans upwards of half a trillion dollars a year, considering their combined medical, economic, criminal, and social impact. Every year, abuse of illegal drugs and alcohol contributes to the death of more than 100,000 Americans, while tobacco is linked to an estimated 440,000 deaths per year.