Over the years, medical professionals and everyday individuals have debated what addiction actually is. Some people say that addiction is a choice, and those who fall into it lack willpower. There are others who are in their addiction that say they’ve lost control. addiction is a disease. In fact, the addiction definition is listed In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
The Addiction Definition from NIDA
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a government organization dedicated to addiction. NIDA receives government funding for studying this disease. With these studies, we’re able to get more answers and provide people with better treatment.
NIDA classifies addiction as a legitimate brain disease. According to this organization, addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease that occurs in the brain. Compulsive drug seeking and use are two of the most common characteristics of addiction. Additionally, an individual who suffers from this illness will generally continue to use drugs even when they start to experience severe consequences. As a result of thorough research, NIDA is now able to see exactly how addiction affects the brain.
Addiction and the Brain
When discussing addiction and the brain, one can divide the brain into two key parts. These parts are called the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, or the stop and go systems. The go system is necessary for a person’s survival because it tells him or her to eat and drink. Anything that brings pleasure to the person stimulates the go system.
For most people, the stop system is kind of like the brakes for a car – it slows the go system down. The go system’s fuel is a natural chemical called dopamine, and the stop system stops the flow. For those with an addiction, the dopamine floods the system. The go system is also responsible for many other necessary functions like:
- Logical decision making
- Self-awareness
- Emotional regulation
- Fear modulation
- Impulse control
Helping Families View Addiction as an Illness
A major part of addiction treatment and family therapy is learning about the addiction definition and how it functions as a disease. Families often feel powerless or resentful about a person’s addiction. In some cases, they may even feel responsible. Feeling estranged from their families can make individuals battling addiction feel demoralized. When everyone has a solid understanding that addiction is an illness, rather than a weakness, it brings a lot more clarity to a situation.
Moreover, someone with an addiction can begin to get answers to his or her questions. Many people stuck in active addiction don’t understand why they can’t stop drinking or using. Realizing that addiction is a disease can help everyone involved see that recovery is possible.
Getting Help for an Addiction
If you’ve been asking, “Is addiction a disease?” Pinnacle Peak Recovery can help you and your family. We’re an accredited addiction treatment facility that will teach you more about your addiction. We also offer a variety of treatment programs to help you get sober and stay sober. You no longer have to live in despair. Give us a call today at 866-377-4761 to speak with aone of our addiction specialists.