Why can’t I stop using drugs on my own?

Repeated drug use changes the brain. 

Brain imaging studies of drug-addicted people show changes in areas of the brain that are needed to learn and remember, make good decisions, and control yourself. Quitting is difficult, even for those who feel ready. 

NIDA has an excellent video (below) that explains why drugs are so hard to quit (hint: it’s all about the brain). If you aren’t sure you are addicted, it would be helpful for you to look at this brief video. It helps explains why your inability to stop using drugs does not mean you’re a bad person, just that you have an illness that needs to be treated.