True or False: Addiction is not considered a disease by the NIDA.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes
• D. Not specified

Answer: (B)

NIDA treats addiction as a brain disease. The main idea here is that addiction involves chronic, reversible-but-relapsing brain changes that affect reward, stress, and self-control circuits, leading to compulsive drug seeking and use despite negative consequences. This neurobiological perspective, supported by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors, underpins why addiction is described as a brain disease that requires ongoing treatment and support. Because of this explicit stance, the statement that addiction is not considered a disease by NIDA is false. The other options don’t fit because NIDA’s position is clear and specific: addiction is a brain disease.