Drug addiction affects everyone. Drugs kill, but the addict is not concerned about those facts. Defining an addiction is tricky, and knowing how to handle one is even harder. An addiction is said to be  an uncontrollable compulsion which provides temporary relief from inner pain. Addiction means a person has no control over whether he or she uses. Addiction can be physical, psychological, or both.

According to research, approximately 27 million Americans use illicit drugs regularly. Also, around 70 percent of illegal drug users are employed and contribute significantly to workplace absenteeism, accidents, and injuries, decreased productivity, increased insurance expenses, employee turnover costs, and on-the-job violence.  In 2001, the estimated total number of drug addicts had already reached 15.9 million Americans aged 12 or above.  This estimate represents 7.1 percent of the population aged 12 years old or older. Almost 16 million are estimated to need immediate treatment for drug addiction.

Drug addiction involves compulsively seeking to use a substance, regardless of the potentially negative social, psychological, and physical effects. Certain drugs are more likely to cause physical dependence than are others. While not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted, many people do.

Experts have theorized that some people, particularly those addicted to drugs, may have deficiencies in their brain reward systems. Other drug users gravitate toward their drug of choice to self-medicate.

Drug addiction treatment typically involves steps to help one withdraw from using a substance. It should also be followed by counseling and attending self-help groups to help one resist addiction again.

A physician may prescribe narcotics to relieve pain, benzodiazepines to relieve anxiety or insomnia, or barbiturates to relieve nervousness or irritation. Doctors prescribe these medications at safe doses and monitor their use so that a person addicted will not be given too great a dose or for too long a time. Still, the best way to prevent an addiction to an illegal drug is not to take the drug at all.

Breaking a drug addiction is difficult, but not impossible. Support from the doctor, family, friends, and others who have a drug addiction, as well as inpatient or outpatient drug addiction treatment, may help  someone beat drug dependence.

Recognizing the problem, of drug addiction, as soon as possible is critical. A person addicted to drugs should get help right away and should not be afraid to ask for guidance.