Treatment however must be ongoing. Just getting clean doesn't solve the problem. NIDA says that it takes at least three months for the treatment to start taking effect. The key word there is start. Ongoing treatment is important.
Many patients leave treatment prematurely and suffer serious relapses.
Research Continues Research continues into the how's and why's of addiction. The hereditary implications are continuing to be investigated with more and more evidence that certain people have genes that make them susceptible to addictive behavior. There is also research into brain chemistry as a cause. Treatments are constantly being worked on looking for new and better treatments for individuals including new medications that could help. It is agreed though that the one best way to avoid addiction is to never start.