The American National Institute on Drug Abuse has published a report (linked here) that finds that cravings can be induced in addicts by exposing them to pictures of drugs. What is remarkable is that the length of exposure can be so short that the addict isn't even aware that he/she has seen the image. Using functional MRI scanning Dr. Anna Rose Childress and her team were able to show that the pleasure centers of the brain became excited after even a very short exposure to pictures of drugs.

The age at which kids experiment with drugs has dropped over recent years. It is now expected that kids as young as 11 or 12 will be exposed to drugs and alcohol within their peer group and start to begin experimenting. Children at this age are at an important part of their development and the brain is just beginning to develop the new cognitive skills that will help the child to cope with teenage years. These skills include the ability to make decisions using high-level or abstract reasoning. Drug use at this time can cause permanent structural changes to the brain that will impair these functions. Current estimates suggest that about half of all teenagers will try an illicit drug at least once. It is thought that nearly all teenagers will experiment with tobacco and alcohol.

Eating is controlled by external and internal factors. External factors include the availability of food, the context, cultural practices, social pressure. Internal factors include brain chemistry, physiological function, and our own attempts to control our eating. Eating is required to sustain life but for some people their eating becomes problematic to the point where it threatens their physical and mental well-being. Research is being conducted to try and explain how these "eating disorders" develop and how they can better be treated.

Methamphetamine is also known as "speed","ice", and "tik". It is a highly addictive stimulant drug that activates certain areas in the brain to create a euphoric rush. It is chemically related to amphetamine but has a greater effect. Tik has become a scourge in South Africa because of its ready availability and low cost. Many people think that tik is a new drug but in fact it has been around for decades. It has just become more popular recently as local gangs started producing it. A great many people are addicted to this dangerous substance and in need of treatment in a drug rehab center.

Alcoholism is a very serious disease that threatens the life of anybody who suffers from it. It is a progressive illness that gets worse and worse if left untreated. There is sometimes confusion around exactly who has a drinking problem that needs alcohol rehab.

Drug rehab centers in South Africa generally employ a multi-disciplinary team. The combined skill and training of many professionals working together allows the patient to be viewed from many angles and each facet treated carefully. Your drug rehab counselor may be a member of one of these professions who has specialized in addictions treatment. Your drug rehab counselor will play a vital role in your treatment and is responsible for overseeeing your recovery plan. It is your drug rehab counselor who performs the assessment of your needs and tailors the program to suit you.

Alcoholism is a devastating illness that cripples your ability to live happily. Finding your way to recovery can begin at any time but most people need a jolt of some sort to realize just how unmanageable life has become. This realization might place things into perspective and prompt the alcoholic into looking for help in overcoming this illness from an alcohol rehab center. Alcoholics may feel despair at their lives but it is important to offer them a ray of hope. People do recover from this illness when they receive professional attention in alcohol rehab centers and the support of those around them.

Most people are unable to beat the disease of addiction by themselves. Drug treatment offers professional assistance in helping people overcome their drug addictions. Addiction recovery helps people not only to simply abstain from using drugs but also to live a happy and productive life. Drug treatment is not suggested to be a total cure for addiction: People who complete drug treatment should never use drugs again because the chance of addiction resurfacing is extremely high. Drug treatment helps addicts to learn ways to cope productively with the stress and frustration of normal living. The lessons taught in a drug treatment program are practical and are expected to be used in every facet of the patient's life.