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substance abuse in your family > children and teens > parent have a problem > what is addiction

WHAT IS ADDICTION?

Addiction is a disease that affects the brain and other parts of a person’s body. People can be addicted to alcohol (alcoholism) or other drugs (drug addiction). Sometimes, people with addiction problems are called “substance abusers” or “chemically dependent.”

People who are addicted have lost control over the way they use alcohol or other drugs and cannot stop using without special help. When people are addicted, they don’t feel right – not normal – unless they have alcohol or other drugs in their body. When people are addicted, the alcohol or other drugs become the most important thing and they might act in ways that is not like them. They might not even be able to take care of their children they way they want to. This is because drugs and alcohol change the way a person’s brain works.