Although many people aren’t aware of it, by definition, addiction is a disease. Not understanding that addiction is a disease means that as a society, we’re going to continue neglecting this very serious illness. The debate about whether this is a disease or not is over, due to scientific evidence. Studies show us that the brain of someone with an addiction is much different from the average person’s.
Addiction is a Disease
You may be wondering what classifies some type of illnesses as diseases and what criteria they have to meet. A disease is any sort of illness that affects a specific organ, and has diagnosable symptoms. By definition, we find that addiction definitely falls into the category of diseases because it affects the brain. Not only that, but it also has diagnosable symptoms, which means a professional can tell you if you have an addiction.
The limbic system in the brain is what releases dopamine when we experience anything that gives us pleasure. This is important because it helps us remember that we need to eat when we’re hungry or drink when thirsty. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that tells the person that this experience may cause harm. Science shows that for those who have an addiction, the prefrontal cortex of the brain doesn’t function properly.
This is like having the brakes cut on your vehicle, and you can’t stop no matter how hard you press the pedal. Dopamine from alcohol or drugs hijacks the brain, so it can no longer moderate properly. Addiction only affects about one out of every 12 people, and we can narrow addiction down to some common risk factors. Some risk factors for addiction include the following:
- Genetic predisposition
- Mental illness
- Age
- Environment
How the Disease Progresses
Addiction is on a spectrum, which means some people have less severe forms of addiction. In these cases, the addiction is easier to treat. After drinking alcohol in excess or abusing drugs for a long time, the person will develop a physical dependence. This means that the body no longer knows how to function properly without the drug or alcohol. Due to neurotransmitters in the brain misfiring, the person experiences a wide range of withdrawal symptoms.
Those who struggle with addiction also have a psychological dependence, which is very troublesome. This means that whenever the brain experiences a trigger, it tells the person he or she needs to drink or use. This is the primary reason why addiction treatment is so important for recovery.
Overcoming an Addiction
Pinnacle Peak Recovery is an addiction rehab that can help you overcome your addiction to drugs or alcohol. Although addiction is a disease, it’s one that you can recover from as long as you have the willingness to do so. Find out how you can change your life by giving us a call today at 866-377-4761.
