They may mistakenly think that those understanding alcohol use disorder national institute who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives. Some researchers have suggested that the effects of psychotherapy may account for some of the pill placebo response observed in medication studies. It is important to give any treatment plan a chance to work before deciding whether it is right for you.
The good news is that no matter how severe the problem may seem, evidence-based treatment with behavioral therapies, mutual-support groups, and/or medications can help people with AUD achieve and maintain recovery. Alcohol is the most commonly used substance in the United States, with 84% of people 18 and older reporting lifetime use, according to data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Alcohol use exists along a spectrum from low risk to alcohol use disorder (AUD).
The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk for these health effects, including several types of cancer. Most drugs affect the brain’s “reward circuit,” causing euphoria as well as flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. A properly functioning reward system motivates a person to repeat behaviors needed to thrive, such as eating and spending time with loved ones. Surges of dopamine in the reward circuit cause the reinforcement of pleasurable but unhealthy behaviors like taking drugs, leading people to repeat the behavior again and again. Find out how NIMH engages a range of stakeholder organizations as part of its efforts to ensure the greatest public health impact of the research we support.
Treatments Led by Health Care Providers
- Many people with alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don’t recognize that they have a problem.
- Participants completed a behavioral control task called a “stop signal” task while undergoing functional neuroimaging (fMRI), during which they had to try to stop themselves from pressing a button on certain trials.
- Dr. Koob earned his doctorate in Behavioral Physiology from Johns Hopkins University in 1972.
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.
- Ask different programs if they offer sliding-scale fees—some programs may offer lower prices or payment plans for individuals without health insurance.