Do you know that addiction is a type of disease and that’s how most medical associations relate it to? Places like the American Medical Association to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, all consider this problem like a disease.
Like we have cancer, diabetes, heart problems, even addiction happens due to biological, behavioral, and environmental issues. The most common aspect is genetics and livelihood that puts people into addiction.
Addition changes the functionality of our body, and the repercussions are always negative. The changes can be risky and can do permanent damages. It is essential to consider addiction like a disease and treat it like one. It needs medical attention so that it doesn’t become life-threatening.
How using substance effect the brain?
We all know the feeling after the basic needs like hunger and thirst are satisfied. They are not just necessities but also give us the sense of pleasure that our brain releases. Think of yourself eating your favorite meal at a restaurant, the thought of it can make your brain have a craving. Similarly, addictive substances release high chemicals for your mind.
With time, the chemicals make our brain motivated towards having more of those substances. When such changes occur, the addicted person needs more of it to feel normal. They can start having intense desire or craving for addictive things even when they know about the dangerous consequences.
The addicted person will want drugs like healthy pleasures and lose interest in regular activities of life. An essential happening is when the person doesn’t care about their survival but wants to have substance instead.
These changes can stay for a long time in the brain and can provoke them to continue taking substances. Such changes can leave people vulnerable to environmental or physical cues, and they might lapse even with treatment.
Most rehabs don’t understand that addiction has much to do with the human brain. If you bring an addicted person to a play like NAD in Georgia, they go through detoxifying therapies. Such therapies help an addicted person change the direction of their lives and move toward a healthier being.
Is addiction a chronic condition?
Chronic diseases are usually long-lasting health conditions that can be controlled but not entirely healed — around 25 to 50 percent of people who take substance result in having it like another chronic disorder.
Addiction then becomes a progressive and relapsing disease the need intensive care and most importantly aftercare. They need monitoring and family support for speedy recovery. Even though addiction can be completely healed, but people need proper treatment to get over it.
Can willpower be enough?
The early decision to use a substance is usually a free and conscious choice. However, once their brain changes and longs for materials, it is beyond their willpower. Their brains are impaired, and they can’t control the use of materials. Think about how addictive smoking is even people continue having it in their conscious minds. That is how much your brain can get affected with addiction. On the contrary, when you’re in a conscious state, you can fight with your mind to not do it again.
How responsible are people for being addicted?
People who are addicted shouldn’t be blamed for suffering from such a disease. Everyone makes choices and not all wish to take substance because they want to. People cannot determine how their brain should work or respond to alcohol and drugs. This is why people with addiction can’t control the use as others can. We should help people get the right treatment to help them recover. These people need family support, friends, and must be given reasons to survive.
Why is addiction not a disease to some people?
On one end people think that addiction is a disease, while on the other some don’t. It is an individual choice to use or to not use drugs. The first usage reflects the early and controllable stages, but when the brain is addicted, the desire is a behavioral pattern.
The choice doesn’t determine it as a disease or like it isn’t one. Heart issues, diabetes, cancer, are types of conditions that can even happen from exercise, diet, and sun exposure. Diseases can arise from various life choices, and we have to be particular and specific about it.
Some people argue and state that addiction isn’t a disease because people choose it. Some say that it can’t be resolved with treatment. People who are mildly into substance abuse can recover with little time if they direct their lives differently or when they’re in control of themselves.
People with serious addiction need intensive care along with the lifelong management of diseases. While some people who are addicted must stop drinking and using drugs without treatment, they need family support, spiritual care, and change of lifestyle.
Can addiction be good?
Although there can be good addictions like cooking, reading, listening to music, and more, the term addiction is never associated with good. Addiction of any sort shows that you can’t do without it for a long time. This means we’re always attached to something or the other. Smartphone’s are the most common addiction that people have currently. Most people don’t even spend an hour without using it.
If you can monitor your addiction, you’re in a healthy state. You might find people recommend you to drink two bottles of beer a week because it comes with health benefits too. However, if it becomes excessive and addictive, then it is harming you.
The point is not to get addicted but to do it all in moderation. It is the only way we can have a healthier and happy life. We don’t recommend anyone to get into temporary substance abuse or smoking, but it might not be wrong to enjoy a glass of alcohol once in a blue moon. Everything is okay to do as long as you don’t get addicted and cannot control your brain when it says no. If you can excel in this aspect, you’re never going to get addicted to anything.