Controlling Substance Abuse

The brain changes when a person abuses illicit (illegal) and prescription drugs or alcohol, often causing addiction and making it harder for the person to practice self-control. The addicted person may want to quit using the substance or may experience negative health and social consequences as a result of using the substance, yet still may be unable or unwilling to quit.

Not everyone who abuses a substance will become addicted. However, substance abuse can often lead to family disintegration, loss of employment, failure in school, domestic violence, and child abuse. Military personnel returning from combat are also at an increased risk for abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs.