What is addiction?

What is addiction?

Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug, alcohol or activity seeking behaviors and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because it changes the brain—addiction changes its structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long-lasting and can lead to harmful behaviors.

We can become addicted to mood altering substances such as:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Heroin
• Marijuana
• Caffeine
• Food
• Cocaine
• Crystal Meth
• Amphetamines
• Mushrooms and LSD
• Benzodiazepines
• Over the counter products
• Prescribed drugs such as opioids
• Designer drugs
• Heroine
• Fentanyl

We can become addicted to behaviors such as:

. Relationships

• Gambling
• Shopping
• Working
• Gaming
• Fantasy
• Exercise
• Religion
• Eating
• Sex

Addiction and the family and society:

The non-user often becomes co-dependent in order to control the addict by enabling, rescuing and caretaking and taking on the role of the family martyr or saint.

Children become affected and take on roles to survive the dysfunction: family hero, scapegoat, lost child and mascot.

The family follows the rules of dysfunction:

don’t feel don’t talk don’t trust

10 people are affected for every one addict in our society

What are treatments for addiction?

There are many options for successful treatment:

• Medical detox, rehabs, and long-term treatment centers
• medication and behavioral counseling
• medical devices and applications used to treat withdrawal symptoms
• evaluation and treatment for co-occurring mental health issues such as depression and anxiety
• long-term follow-up to prevent relapse
• support group meetings such as AA, GA, OA, NA
• spiritual growth and coping skill development