National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week is an annual, week-long, health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction. It provides an opportunity to bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partnersāto help advance the science, so that we can improve the prevention and awareness of substance misuse in our own communities and nationwide. It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse to stimulate educational events in communities so teens can learn what science has taught us about drug use and addiction. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism became a partner in 2016, and alcohol has been added as a topic area for the week.
Drug use and addiction is extremely complex, which means, quitting takes more than a good intention and a strong will. Addiction is a combination of risk factors and the more risk factors you have, increases your chance that taking a drug will lead to addiction.
Addiction is a brain disease. Drugs change the structure of the brain and how it works. These brain changes can be long lasting and can lead to harmful behaviors. They also can create and spark triggers that bring on the drug cravings even if you have been drug free for years.
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