Addiction is a brain disease. That means that there are physical changes in the
brain that explain some of the behaviors seen in patients with addiction (such as preoccupation with drugs and loss of control over taking drugs). It also means that, sometimes, just having willpower and motivation is not enough to fight an addiction. Just like if you broke your leg or sprained your ankle, fighting it mentally would not be enough. In order to make sure that addiction is treated properly, it requires professional help.
Many teens with drug problems think they are weak because they continue to use drugs. But addiction is not a matter of being strong or weak — the strongest are the ones who are able to put aside their fears, shame, and guilt, and reach out for
help.
Some people are able to control their drug use through willpower, but these people are not likely to have an addiction. For people who are clearly addicted to drugs, it will require more than just willpower to stop.
Read more about the risks of drug useand visit the Help section for advice and resources.