Module Overview
Originated by Prof. Felicia Megret
Drug Addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behaviour and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. When addicted, a person often continues using the drug despite the harm it causes. Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, drug addiction begins with exposure to prescribed medications, or receiving medications from a friend or relative who has been prescribed the medication. This module looks at how and why addiction can occur and prompts young people to spot the signs of potential addiction in themselves and others.