As of the year 2000, many medical facts about the causes of addiction, its nature, the best ways to treat its symptoms, and the possibility of devising a full, permanent cure remain unknown. However, research has already established that the myths listed below are false. Unfortunately, these common myths cause the general public and even many physicians to be needlessly unsympathetic to addicts.

Myth: Addiction is an acute condition, like a broken leg or pneumonia.

Fact: Addiction is a chronic disorder, like arthritis, high blood pressure, asthma, or diabetes.

Myth: Addiction ends when detoxification removes all of the abused substance from the addict's body.

Fact: Changes in the pathways of the brain, which had been caused by the abused substance, persist long after the last particle of the abused substance has left the body.

Myth: Addiction ends when the...