WHAT ARE SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT DRUG ADDICTION?
Many people view drug abuse and addiction as strictly a social problem. Parents, teens, older adults, and other members of the community tend to characterize people who take drugs as morally weak or as having criminal tendencies. They believe that drug abusers and addicts should be able to stop taking drugs if they are willing to change their behavior. These myths have not only stereotyped those with drug-related problems, but also their families, their communities, and the health care professionals who work with them. Drug abuse and addiction comprise a public health problem that affects many people and has wide-ranging social consequences. CAN DRUG ADDICTION BE TREATED? Research shows that addiction is clearly treatable. A variety of approaches are used in treatment programs to help patients deal with these cravings and possibly avoid drug relapse. Through treatment that is tailored to individual needs, patients can learn to control their condition and live relatively normal lives. T
