For example, people who have been drug free for a decade can experience cravings when returning to an old neighborhood or house where they used drugs. For people with addictions to drugs like stimulants or cannabis, no medications are currently available to assist in treatment, so treatment consists of behavioral therapies. Treatment should be tailored to address each patient’s drug use patterns and drug-related medical, mental, and social problems. Like treatment for other chronic diseases such as heart disease or asthma, addiction treatment is not a cure, but a way of managing the condition. Treatment enables people to counteract addiction’s disruptive effects on their brain and behavior and regain control of their lives. As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adapts by reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it.<\/p>\n
With the right support and motivation many people can stop drinking, reducing their risk of alcohol harm. But remember, if why is alcohol addictive<\/a> you\u2019re alcohol dependent, you should get medical advice before stopping completely, so you can do it safely. If you are able to make small reductions first, that\u2019s a good sign.<\/p>\n