Introduction
Addiction is a disease of the mind and body. It is not a weakness of character or a choice that people make. People with substance use disorders have brain chemistry that causes them to want to continue using the addictive substance despite negative consequences. According to Dr Louis Hamper, this means that addiction cannot be overcome by will power alone—people need help from professionals who can guide them through treatment.
Addiction is a brain disorder.
As we’ve already discussed, addiction is a disease of the mind and body. It affects every aspect of your life, including your thinking and behavior.
The reward system in our brain is responsible for feelings of pleasure. When someone has an addiction, their reward system becomes dysfunctional because they miss out on the normal pleasure they’d get from everyday activities like eating or spending time with friends or family. Instead of experiencing this natural high from normal activities like these, the addict’s brain starts to crave more and more drugs or alcohol to achieve that same feeling. Over time, this can cause changes in how the brain functions—changes that make quitting difficult if not impossible without help from others who are also committed to their recovery journey as well
Addiction is about compulsive behavior, not lack of willpower.
Addiction is a disease of the mind and body. It’s not caused by lack of willpower or a character flaw, but rather by changes in neural pathways in the brain that control reward, memory and other functions. The disease affects how we think, feel and behave.
People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol don’t necessarily want to stop using them—but they need help breaking out of their destructive patterns so they can achieve their full potential for success in life.
Addictions can lead to other physical and mental health problems.
The problems associated with addiction aren’t limited to mental health. Addiction can also lead to physical health problems, such as liver disease, heart disease, stroke and cancer. In some cases, these diseases may be fatal.
For example: A cocaine addict who takes too much cocaine or stops taking it abruptly will likely experience symptoms of withdrawal such as depression and anxiety. If you are experiencing these symptoms without the use of any drugs or alcohol in your system, it’s important to see a medical professional immediately for treatment options that may help alleviate them.
Treatment for addiction is important for long term sobriety.
Addiction is a disease that requires treatment. It is not something you can simply “figure out” on your own—even if it feels like it should be that way. There are many reasons why treatment works, but the most important one is because addiction isn’t just about drugs or alcohol; it’s about changing the way you think and act in all areas of life. Recovery is not a destination, but rather a process—and an ongoing journey toward wellness, happiness, and success.
Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient treatment depends on several factors: current physical health and mental health issues (if any), whether or not there are support systems at home (or if the addict will need to leave their home environment completely), cost considerations, what kind(s) of treatment options exist locally (e.g., residential vs non-residential), etcetera..
Conclusion
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has made it clear that addiction is a disease that affects the brain. It’s not a moral failing or weakness in character, but an illness that can be treated and managed with proper treatment programs.
