What causes addiction, and why is it so hard to treat?

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Judy Grisel |

TED-Ed

• March 2024

As of 2021, more than 36 million people were estimated to be experiencing substance use disorder. This condition spans a spectrum of patterned drug use that causes issues in a person’s life, with substance addiction at the more severe end. Why are some people more susceptible to addiction, and why can it be so difficult to treat? Judy Grisel takes a look at how addictive drugs affect the body. [Directed by Gabriella Marsh, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by André Aires].