We can help with Addiction.

Addiction is a chronic and recurrent condition characterized by the compulsive pursuit and use of drugs, despite facing adverse consequences. This condition is considered a brain disorder due to the functional alterations it causes in brain circuits responsible for reward, stress, and self-control. These changes can persist long after drug use has ceased. Similar to other diseases like heart disease, addiction disrupts the normal functioning of a vital organ in the body and can result in severe harm. Fortunately, like many other diseases, addiction is both preventable and treatable. Without proper intervention, it can have lifelong consequences and may even lead to fatality.

In general, people resort to drug use for various reasons:

1. To experience pleasure: Drugs have the ability to induce intense feelings of pleasure and euphoria. The specific effects vary depending on the type of drug used. For instance, stimulants like cocaine can lead to feelings of power, self-confidence, and heightened energy, while opioids like heroin may bring about relaxation and satisfaction.
2. To alleviate negative emotions: Some people facing social anxiety, stress, or depression turn to drugs as a means to alleviate their feelings of anxiousness. Stress can also play a significant role in initiating drug use, maintaining it, and causing relapse during addiction recovery.
3. To enhance performance: Certain individuals may feel pressured to enhance their focus in academic or professional settings or improve their abilities in sports. This pressure can influence their decision to try or continue using drugs, including prescription stimulants or cocaine.
4. Curiosity and social influence: Curiosity and social pressure can be motivating factors, particularly among teenagers who are more vulnerable to peer influence. During adolescence, the presence of risk factors like drug-using peers may contribute to the initiation of substance use.

Initially, the choice to use drugs is usually made voluntarily. However, as drug use persists, a person’s capacity to exercise self-control can significantly diminish. This loss of self-control is a key characteristic of addiction. Studies utilizing brain imaging on individuals with addiction reveal observable physical alterations in brain regions essential for judgment, decision-making, learning, memory, and behavioral regulation. These changes shed light on the compulsive behavior observed in addiction.

Upon initial drug use, individuals may perceive positive effects and may believe they have control over their usage. However, as time progresses, drugs can swiftly take control of a person’s life. Engaging in drug use over an extended period can diminish the pleasure derived from other activities, leading the person to rely on the drug just to feel “normal.” Despite experiencing numerous issues for themselves and their loved ones, they struggle to regulate their urge to consume drugs. Some individuals may even feel the need to increase the dosage or frequency of drug use, even during the early stages of their drug use. These signs are indicative of addiction. Even moderate drug use carries inherent dangers. Consider the example of a social drinker who becomes intoxicated, drives a car, and turns a once enjoyable activity into a tragic event that impacts many lives. Similarly, occasional drug misuse, like using opioids to get high, can lead to devastating consequences, including impaired driving and overdose.

Some examples of treatment options for addiction or substance abuse include:

• Individual psychotherapy or counseling
• Group programs and 12 step programs, such as AA
• Inpatient treatment or rehab
• Detoxification   
• Medication
• Medication-assisted therapy

You are not alone. The stigma of mental illness holds many people back from seeking treatment.  Perhaps you learned from your family or community that having a mental or emotional issue is a sign of personal, moral, or spiritual weakness and should be hidden from others. You may have heard you need more will power or should just “snap out of it” instead of seeking help. The truth is that anyone can develop a mental illness in the same way that they can develop a physical illness. In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five Americans is living with a mental illness.  

Similar to other diseases and disorders, the probability of developing an addiction varies among individuals, and no singular factor alone determines the likelihood of drug addiction. Generally, the presence of more risk factors increases the chances of drug use and addiction. Conversely, protective factors serve to lower a person’s risk. Both risk and protective factors can be attributed to either environmental or biological influences.

Similar to chronic diseases like heart disease or asthma, drug addiction treatment does not typically provide a complete cure. However, it is possible to effectively manage addiction. Through treatment, individuals can address the disruptive impact of addiction on their brain and behavior, allowing them to regain control over their lives.

Yes, addiction is a treatable condition. Extensive research on the science of addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders has resulted in the development of evidence-based approaches that assist individuals in ceasing drug use and reintegrating into productive lives, commonly referred to as recovery.

No, the chronic nature of addiction entails that some individuals may experience relapse, which involves a return to drug use after attempting to stop. However, modern treatments are specifically designed to aid in preventing relapses. The relapse rates for drug use are comparable to those seen in other chronic medical conditions. Just like with other chronic diseases, if individuals deviate from their medical treatment plan, the likelihood of relapse increases. Managing chronic diseases necessitates altering deeply ingrained behaviors, and a relapse should not be seen as a failure of treatment. When a person in recovery from addiction experiences a relapse, it serves as a signal for them to consult with their doctor to resume treatment, make adjustments to the existing plan, or explore alternative treatment options.