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ADDICTION 101

The disease model of addiction

Addiction is defined as a disease by most medical groups, including the American Medical Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, addiction is caused by a mix of behavioral, psychological, environmental, and biological factors. Genetics make up about half of a person’s risk for developing an addiction.

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Addiction causes changes in how the brain and body work because of the ongoing use of nicotine, alcohol, or other substances.

 

If addiction is not treated, it can lead to other physical and mental health problems that need medical care. Over time, untreated addiction becomes more serious, more disabling, and life threatening.

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Source: drugfree.org

Is Addiction a Disease?​

Addiction, also called a substance use disorder, is a complex disease of the brain and body. It causes a person to feel a strong need to use one or more substances even when it leads to serious health and social problems. Addiction affects parts of the brain that control reward, motivation, learning, judgment, and memory.

Source: drugfree.org

How substance use changes the brain

People feel pleasure when basic needs like hunger, thirst, and sex are met. These good feelings come from chemicals that the brain releases. These chemicals teach the brain to repeat the behaviors that help us stay alive, such as eating, drinking, and creating families. Most addictive substances cause the brain to release very high levels of these same chemicals.

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Over time, the constant release of these chemicals changes the parts of the brain that control reward, motivation, and memory. The brain tries to return to balance by reacting less to the chemicals or by releasing stress hormones. Because of this, a person may need more of the substance just to feel closer to normal. The person may have strong cravings and keep using the substance even when it causes harm. The person may also choose the substance instead of healthy pleasures and may lose interest in normal life activities. In the most serious form of the disease, a severe substance use disorder can make a person stop caring about their own well being or the well being of others.

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These changes in the brain can last a long time, even after the person stops using substances. These changes may make the person more sensitive to things that remind them of using, called triggers, which can raise the risk of relapse.

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Source: drugfree.org

Why is willpower not enough?

The first decisions to use substances are mostly based on a person’s free choice. These choices are often shaped by their culture and environment. Some factors, like a family history of addiction, trauma, or mental health problems that are not treated well, such as depression and anxiety, can make some people more likely to develop a substance use disorder.

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Once addiction changes the brain, a person’s choice and willpower become weaker. One of the main signs of addiction is losing control over substance use.

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Source: drugfree.org

Are people with addiction responsible for their actions?

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People do not choose how their brain and body react to substances. This is why people with addiction cannot control their use while others can. People with addiction can stop using substances, but it is much harder than it is for someone who has not become addicted. They should not be blamed for having a disease. They should be able to get quality care that is based on evidence. With support from family, friends, and peers, and by staying in treatment, their chances of recovery and survival become stronger.

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Source: drugfree.org

Is it a chronic disease?

A chronic disease is a long lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured. Most people who use substances do not develop an addiction. Many young people who use substances during high school or college often reduce their use when they take on adult responsibilities. Still, about twenty five to fifty percent of people with a substance use problem develop a severe and long lasting disorder. For them, addiction is a progressive disease that can return and requires strong treatment, ongoing follow up care, monitoring, and family or peer support to help their recovery.

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The good news is that even the most severe and long lasting form of this disorder can be managed with long term treatment, continued monitoring, and steady support for recovery.

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Most people who use substances do not develop an addiction. Many young people who use substances during high school or college often reduce their use once they take on adult responsibilities. Still, about twenty five to fifty percent of people with a substance use problem develop a severe and long lasting disorder. For them, addiction is a progressive disease that can return and requires strong treatment, continued follow up care, monitoring, and family or peer support to manage their recovery.

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Source: drugfree.org

Why some people say addiction is not a disease​

Some people think addiction cannot be a disease because it starts with a person choosing to use substances. While the first use or early use may be a choice, experts say that once addiction changes the brain, the person loses control of their behavior. Choice does not decide whether something is a disease. Heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers can involve personal choices like diet, exercise, or sun exposure. A disease is what happens inside the body because of those choices.

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Others say addiction is not a disease because some people get better without treatment. People with a mild substance use disorder may recover with little or no treatment. People with a severe form of addiction usually need strong treatment and lifelong care. Still, some people with severe addiction stop drinking or using other substances without treatment, often after a serious family, social, work, physical, or spiritual crisis. Others recover by going to self help groups like twelve step meetings or AA without much professional treatment.

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In all cases, professional treatment and recovery support should be available for anyone with a substance use disorder. Addiction is a treatable disease.

 

Source: drugfree.org

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