Understanding Addiction
Addiction is considered by health professionals to be a disease characterized by physical and psychological dependence on psychoactive substances or behaviors. These substances can include alcohol, cocaine, heroin, prescription pills, and many other drugs that affect the brain and its functioning. Behaviors may include compulsive gambling, shopping, or sex. Symptoms include impaired control over the substance or behavior, compulsive thoughts about the substance/behavior, and distorted thinking.
These substances and behaviors affect the “reward” system of the brain so that the person using the substance or doing the behavior feels a sense of pleasure. If done over a prolonged period of time, the brain’s functioning will change. The person may become convinced he or she “needs” the substance/behavior for survival, just as they need food or water.
This will typically result in psychological and behavioral changes which can include mood swings, lack of control or inhibitions regarding behavior, lack of ambition, irritability, rage, inability to complete daily tasks of life or cope with difficulties. Usually, the addict’s interpersonal relationships are affected and significant problems in life develop.
Another characteristic of addiction is that the person will continue to use or do the behavior despite negative consequences. Whereas a heavy drinker, for example, may be able to quit drinking on his own after a consequence that is serious enough, such as a conviction for driving under the influence, a person suffering from addiction will not be able to stop for a prolonged period of time, despite negative effects. Often, the addict will lost the ability to even recognize that there are negative effects on his or her life, or that they have a problem with using substances or engaging in a behavior in the first place. This is known as denial. An alcoholic or addict cannot truly be diagnosed by anyone but his- or herself, but certain questions may help the addict, friends or family determine if their is a problem with alcohol or an addiction.
There are both genetic and environmental factors in acquiring the disease. Research has shown that one type of addiction, alcoholism, is 50-60% genetically determined and 40-50% due to psychosocial or environmental influences. Some, although not all, people with a history of alcoholism in their families are more likely to develop alcoholism themselves. And there are a host of environmental influences which may factor into a person’s development of alcoholism, including discontent, hardships, traumas, family problems, social anxiety, other disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder, and the way alcohol is viewed in the home or society in which the person lives. Also, alcohol must be consumed (usually over a period of time) in order for the person to develop alcoholism.
These characteristics can, in general, be applied to addiction to any substance or behavior as well. And, very commonly, a person may be able to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior, but they will easily turn to another. That is why it is important to seek treatment in order to explore life issues, learn new coping tools, and develop new behaviors and ways of thinking so that the addict does not feel they need the substance or behavior for survival.
Addiction is a chronic, life-long disease. It is also viewed as progressive; that is, if the person does not stop using or engaging, his or her addiction will become worse over time, causing more and more family, social, work, financial and health problems over life. Substance abuse or eating disorders can cause severe damage to the brain, liver and other organs; they may be fatal. An addict may quit periodically, but they will always return to the addiction if they remain untreated.
This is why it is so important to seek treatment for addiction. An addict almost never can quit on his or her own. The best way to begin recovery is through a 30-day or 90-day inpatient rehabilitation program. At a residential treatment center, the addict will be in a comfortable and supportive environment while engaging in a comprehensive treatment program that will help him or her begin the life-changing (sometimes life-saving) process of recovery. A treatment program such as this will also be safest if the addict or alcoholic needs a medical detoxification; it is extremely dangerous for the individual to attempt this on his or her own. Recovery Hub is dedicated to finding the absolute best treatment center for any individual nationwide. Let us help you through every step of the way.