Estimates of the total overall costs of substance abuse in the United States exceed half a trillion dollars each year. That includes $181 billion for illicit drugs, $168 billion for tobacco and $185 billion for alcohol. What is important to know though is the cost of drug addiction extends to every citizen in the United States of America. We pay for the drug addiction through family disintegration, loss of employment, failure in school, domestic violence, child abuse, and other crimes.

Drug addiction changes the structure and function of the brain and is frequently referred to as a disease because of these characteristics. The brain’s communication system is disrupted and changed from repeated use of substances and so when the addict stops using drugs, a craving is induced. It is for this very reason that addicts are compelled to do whatever it takes to purchase more drugs; prostitution, theft or other crimes. In fact, most incarcerations are somehow directly or indirectly tied to addiction.

The next time you meet someone who might be an addict, try not to discriminate. In sociology, one learns to be open minded to other cultures. Addiction is a culture by itself. The addict simply has a craving for a substance to satisfy a chemical imbalance in the brain. It has nothing to do with morality. These are the facts about drug addiction.

For videos on substance abuse for your treatment program or 12 step group, visit http://substanceabusevideos.com If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction, please have faith that with treatment they will get better. There are more people in recovery from addiction than there are living in the midst of an addiction.

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