Drug addiction is a complex condition characterized by intense and, at times, uncontrollable drug craving, along with the desire to compulsively seek and use drugs that persists even in the face of devastating consequences. While the path to drug addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs, over time, the ability of a person to choose not to do so becomes compromised and seeking and consuming the drug becomes compulsive. This behavior results largely from the effects of prolonged drug exposure on brain functioning. Addiction is a brain disease that affects multiple brain circuits, including those involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory and inhibitory control over behavior. Some individuals are more susceptible to becoming an addict, depending on genetic makeup, age of exposure to drugs, other environmental influences and the interplay of all these factors. Addiction is often more than just compulsive drug consumption and can have far reaching consequences. For example, drug abuse and addiction increase the risk of a person to have a variety of other mental and physical illnesses related to a drug abuse. People may suffer the toxic effects of the drugs themselves. Additionally, a wide range of dysfunctional behaviors may result from drug abuse and interfere with normal functioning within a family, the workplace and the community. Because drug abuse and addiction have so many dimensions and disrupt so many aspects of the life of an individual, treatment is not simple. Effective treatment programs typically incorporate many components, each directed to a particular aspect of the illness and its consequences. Addiction treatment must help the individual stop using drugs, maintain a lifestyle free of drugs and achieve productive functioning in the family, at work and in society. Because addiction is typically a chronic disease, people cannot simply stop using drugs for a few days and halt addiction. Most patients require long term or repeated episodes of care to achieve the ultimate goal of sustained abstinence and recovery of quality of life. Research and clinical practices demonstrate the value of continued care in treating addiction, with researchers studying a variety of approaches in both residential and community settings. The future holds new research results on the influence of genetics and environment on gene function and expression, which will herald the development of personalized treatment interventions. Clinicians will integrate this information with current evidence that supports the most effective drug abuse and addiction treatments and implementation. ' '

Addiction Goes Untreated

According to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 23.2 million people, or 9.4 percent of the United States population, aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem in 2007. Of these individuals, 2.4 million people totaling 10.4 percent of those who needed treatment, received treatment at a specialty facility such as a hospital, drug or alcohol rehabilitation or mental health center. Thus, 20.8 million people, or 8.4 percent of the population aged 12 or older, needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem but did not receive it. These estimates are similar to those in previous years.

Top 10 Sleep Myths

Shut Down

Myth 1: Sleep is a time when the body and brain shut down for rest and relaxation.
No evidence shows that any major organ (including the brain) or regulatory system in the body shuts down during sleep. Some physiological processes actually become more active while sleeping. For example, some hormones secretions rise and activity of the pathways in the brain needed for learning and memory increases.

One Hour Less

Myth 2: Getting just one hour less sleep per night than needed does not have any effect on daytime functioning.
This lack of sleep may not make a person noticeably sleepy during the day. However, even slightly less sleep can affect the ability to think properly and respond quickly. Sleep deprivation can compromise cardiovascular health and energy balance as well as the ability to fight infections, particularly if lack of sleep continues. If a person consistently does not get enough sleep, eventually a sleep debt builds up that will cause excessively tiredness during the day.

The Body Adjust Quickly

Myth 3: The body adjusts quickly to different sleep schedules.
The internal biological clock signals the body to be more alert during the daytime and drowsier at night. Thus, even if a person works the night shift, the body will naturally feel sleepy when nighttime comes. Most people can reset their biological clock, but only by appropriately timed cues and even then, by one to two hours per day at best. Consequently, it can take more than a week to adjust to a dramatically altered sleep/wake cycle, such as people encounter when traveling across several time zones or switching from working the day shift to the night shift.

Do It Less When Older

Myth 4: People need less sleep with age.
Older people do not need less sleep, but often get less sleep or find sleep less refreshing. As people age, the body spends less time in the deep, restful stages of sleep and wakes more easily. Older people are also more likely to have insomnia or other medical conditions that disrupt sleep.

Extra Sleep Cures Fatigue

Myth 5: Extra sleep at night can cure problems of excessive daytime fatigue.
Not only is the quantity of sleep important but also the quality of sleep. Some people sleep eight or nine hours a night but do not feel rested in the morning because the quality of sleep is poor. A number of sleep disorders and other medical condi­tions affect the quality of sleep. Sleeping more will not alleviate the daytime sleepiness these disorders or conditions cause. However, many of these disorders or conditions disappear with changes in behavior or with medical ther­apies.

Make Up Sleep on the Weekend

Myth 6: People can make up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping more on the weekends.
Although this sleeping pattern will help relieve part of a sleep debt, it will not completely make up for the lack of sleep. This pattern also will not make up for impaired performance during the week because of not sleeping enough. Furthermore, sleep­ing later on the weekends can affect the internal clock of the body so that it is much harder to go to sleep at the right time on Sunday nights and get up early on Monday mornings.

Naps

Myth 7: Naps are a waste of time.
Although naps are not substitutes for good sleep, naps can be restorative and help counter some of the impaired performance that results from not getting enough sleep at night. Naps can actually help the body and brain learn how to do certain tasks quicker. Avoid taking naps later than 3 PM, as late naps can interfere with the ability to fall asleep at night. In addition, limit naps to no longer than one hour because longer naps will make it harder to wake up and get back in the swing of things.

Snoring Is Not a Problem

Myth 8: Snoring is a normal part of sleep.
Snoring during sleep is common, particularly as a person gets older. Evidence suggests that snoring on a regular basis can make a person sleepy during the day and more susceptible to diabetes and heart disease. In addition, some studies link frequent snor­ing to problem behavior and poorer school achievement in children. Loud, frequent snoring can also be a sign of sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder.

Not Enough Sleep Results in Sleepiness

Myth 9: Children who do not get enough sleep at night will show signs of sleepiness during the day.
Unlike adults, children who do not get enough sleep at night typically become more active than normal during the day. They often show difficulty paying attention and behaving properly. Consequently, doctors may misdiagnose children as having attention-deficit hyperactivity.

Worry Causes Insomnia

Myth 10: The main cause of insomnia is worry.
Although worry or stress can cause a short bout of insomnia, a number of factors can cause persistent inability to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. Certain medications and sleep disorders can keep a person up at night. Other common causes of insomnia are depression, anxiety disorders and asthma, arthritis or other medical conditions with symptoms that become more troublesome at night. Some people who have chronic insomnia also appear to be more revved up than normal, making it is harder to fall asleep.