For many years, stigma has led people to misunderstand addiction, viewing serious disorders as a matter of poor self-control or personal choice.

This perspective was hard for Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, to comprehend. Her patients told her that even though the drug they were taking was no longer pleasurable, they couldn’t stop taking it.

Were people really willing to give up everything they cared for – family, friends, health and more – for something they perceived as rewarding due to their moral failures, or was a physiological disorder causing their addiction?

In this TEDMED talk, Dr. Volkow discusses how images of the human brain are providing insight into the role that the chemical dopamine plays in addiction.

The Brain Science Behind Addiction

Dopamine is the chemical in the brain that tells us something is rewarding or pleasurable, and it enables us to take action. Jade Prusia, KVC Outpatient Therapist, explains the role that the chemical dopamine plays in addiction.

“Our brain makes a certain amount of dopamine itself. When we use a substance, it can increase drastically for a short amount of time,” says Jade. “So then when the dopamine hit is gone, you chase that feeling, or the ‘high.’”

Dopamine D2 Receptors regulate the frontal lobe of our brain, which gives us the ability to control strong urges and exhibit self-control. Repeated and frequent substance abuse leads to a reduction of these receptors, compromising our ability to control strong urges.

Our circumstances also impact our ability to make healthy decisions. A new study from Texas A&M identified a pathway between the brain’s stress centers and the region responsible for habits and decision‑making.

The Stigma Around Addiction

Addiction isn’t simply a matter of self-control; we require the proper function of the areas in our brains that regulate our behaviors. Fortunately, with support, the brain can change, and it’s never too late for change to occur. The human brain can develop resiliency to bounce back after difficult situations. But stigma can keep people trapped in the cycle of addiction.

“Fear of judgement is a big barrier to getting the help that they need,” explains Jade. “This is especially true when they have more public jobs such as a lawyer, police officer or teacher.”

Gallup has found that while many people view addiction through a medical lens and support those in recovery, stigma and misunderstanding still shape how recovery is perceived in everyday life. In 2026, Gallup reported that slightly more than half of Americans (53%) report experiencing negative feelings, like anxiety or nervousness, when interacting with people recovering from addiction, and 40 percent report feeling fearful.

These negative perceptions and sometimes material consequences make seeking out help more challenging.

“The stigma is similar to mental health and sometimes they think that if they avoid it, then it will go away, and we all know that’s not true,” says Jade.

“Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), obtaining a sponsor or working with a substance use therapist can help to bridge that gap and help them realize that they aren’t the only one with this problem.”

Recovery Supports the Whole Family

Recovering from a substance use disorder can be life-changing, not only for the person healing, but also for the people who love and depend on them. With the right treatment, resources and community support, people can rebuild their lives, strengthen relationships and show up for their families in the ways they’ve always wanted to.

These real-life stories show the power of care, connection and support. They remind us that recovery is possible, and that healing can create lasting hope for individuals, families and entire communities.

Adam’s Story

Meet Adam, a father who fought to bring his sons safely home. When Adam was struggling with substance use, his sons entered foster care. During one of the hardest times of his life, he made a promise to himself and his boys: he would do everything he could to change his life and bring his boys safely back home.

With support from his KVC worker, his recovery sponsor and the KVC foster parents caring for his sons, Adam kept showing up. Step by step, he worked toward recovery and reunification. Today, Adam and his boys are back together and thriving.

Their home is filled with the words every parent hopes to hear: “I love you.” And every night, his son tells Adam he’s his best friend.

Adam now uses his own journey to help other fathers find hope. Through his work with Oxford House, he supports men in recovery who are working to stay sober, strengthen their families and build a stable future.

Oxford House is a self-run, self-supported recovery housing program for people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Adam’s Oxford House is especially meaningful because it supports single fathers who have safely reunified with their children.

“It’s just like a big family. We’re all after the same goals,” Adam said.

Heather’s Story

Heather never imagined it would be her. A mother of three, Heather had also been a foster parent to four children and worked with their families to help them safely reunite.

“As a foster mom, it was hard for me to imagine,” said Heather. “I would always say, ‘I don’t know how anyone could get addicted to meth to the point where they lose their children.’ I ended up eating those words.”

Heather had spent most of her adult life taking medication for ADHD. When insurance complications caused her to lose access to that medication, she began experiencing debilitating withdrawals. At the same time, she was going through a season of immense change and found herself without her usual support system.

“I was willing to try anything to bridge the gap,” she said. That’s when Heather started self-medicating with methamphetamine.

As her addition grew more intense, Heather’s life became increasingly unstable. She lost her job, experienced an abusive relationship, became houseless, and lost custody of her children.

In the depths of substance use disorder, it can feel like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, but everything changed for Heather when she was able to access KVC’s substance use treatment. During this time, she worked closely with her KVC case worker, Victoria, who offered Heather a space to be vulnerable and safe.

“Victoria helped me realize that I’m not my mistakes, and I’m still a person,” shares Heather.

Heather safely reunified with her three children, and she is so proud of them and the resilience they have shown. Her recovery was about more than overcoming from addiction. It was about helping her family heal together.

With support from KVC therapists, Heather and her children strengthened their communication, worked through painful emotions and began rebuilding their connection as a family.

KVC Supports Families During Recovery

When substance use impacts someone’s life, early support can make a lasting difference.

We offer Adolescent Substance Use Treatment in Kentucky and Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse treatment in Nebraska. These services provide comprehensive substance use treatment and recovery services, helping youth and families rebuild hope and heal together.

We also supports families facing challenges related to substance use, trauma financial issues, and physical and mental illness through individualized In-Home Family Services. Support may include family therapy, parenting skills education and connections to community resources.

Our team members walk alongside families as they learn to trust, find their strength and move forward with hope.