In no particular order...
Yes, ham radio is like CB radio in that they both use radios. That's about where it ends though. CB radio requires nothing except money to buy the equipment. Ham radio requires that you have some knowledge to pass a test. That knowledge to past a test includes stuff to keep you from harming your self and other people, and knowing what the rules are (yes, there are rules and they are there for a good reason). Ham radio is not necessarily as inexpensive as CB radio, the equipment is capable of a lot more than the typical CB radio (number of bands, modes, and more). That license also allows you to build your own equipment (along with having the knowledge to do so, naturally). Can't do that with CB radio. You don't have to be a genius to get a license but it does require some 'learning'. It's far from impossible.
I've found that the biggest problem with ham radio is the number of choices about what you can do. If you can think of some electrical means of communicating you can probably 'do' it. That can range from that 'dit dit dah' stuff to television, analogue and digital, you name it. If you can't find some aspect of the hobby that appeals to you, you just ain't looking very hard. Oh well...
- 'Doc