The Addict Brain—Science of Addiction

Over 24 million people over the age of 12 are addicted to alcohol. Over 20 million Americans suffer from a drug addiction of some type. Addiction is a serious issue that costs hundreds of billions of dollars per year in related costs, lost work productivity, and health care expenses. Much research has been done to quantify addiction and the damage it causes, but new studies on the process of addiction that challenge our perceptions of addiction and people suffering from addiction, are expanding our understanding of the process and the problems.