Cigarettes are a very efficient drug-delivery system. Each puff on a cigarette sends nicotine to the brain within 10 seconds. Nicotine addiction is stronger and lasts longer than most people realize because smoking changes the structure and function of your brain. For some people, nicotine can be as addictive as cocaine or heroin. Nicotine causes a release of dopamine into the brain, resulting in feelings of pleasure. Heroin and “crack” have the same effects on the brain. 38 percent of college students abuse or are dependent on alcohol or alcohol addicted , according to a survey of students attending colleges and university in 40 states across the U.S.
Nearly one-third (32%) of the students were diagnosed as alcohol abusers and 6% were classified with alcohol addiction. However, only 2% of the students diagnosed as alcohol abusers and 6% of students diagnosed as alcohol dependent sought treatment while in college. A drug is any substance that, once inside the body, changes how the body works. Drugs can be swallowed, sniffed, inhaled, injected, absorbed through the skin, or dropped into the eye. There are many ways to treat a person with drug addiction, and a physician-supervised program is the most appropriate and safe type of management.