Addiction is a chronic (lifelong) illness characterized by obsessive drug seeking, drug use, or behavior despite risks or bad outcomes.

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Addiction may have a serious negative effect on your relationships, general quality of life, and health. It’s critical to get treatment as soon as you see any indications of addiction.

Is there a condition that causes addiction?

Addiction is a chronic illness, therefore yes. Addiction is a chronic brain illness, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). It is not a lack of willpower or poor decision-making that leads to addiction. Addiction alters the chemistry of your brain.

What addiction is most prevalent?

In the US, alcohol use disorder is the most prevalent drug addiction, followed by nicotine and marijuana use disorders. In the United States, 10% of adults over the age of 12 suffer from an alcohol use problem.

What symptoms indicate an addiction?

Depending on the substance or activity, addiction symptoms might differ from person to person. Generally speaking, indicators consist of:

Incapacity to stop: Despite their best efforts, some people are unable to give up using drugs or engaging in dangerous addictive behaviors. They could have made several unsuccessful attempts to cut back on their substance usage or behavior. They could also attempt to conceal it or lie about it to their loved ones.

Increased Tolerance: As time goes on, individuals could require more of the drug or activity to experience the same high levels of pleasure.

Addicts who suffer from addiction develop a pathological fixation on the substance or activity. When individuals find themselves needing, acquiring, and thinking about the issue of the addiction more and more, they might feel as though the addiction has taken over their lives.

Lack of control: People frequently feel powerless and may believe they have lost all control over their substance use or behavior. Their addiction and the extent to which it has affected their life may frequently cause them to feel guilty, despondent, or overwhelmed.

Personal concerns and health issues: Addiction affects a person’s physical and emotional well-being as well as their relationships, profession, and personal relationships. They could struggle to complete tasks at home, at school, or at work because of their substance abuse or the activity. Again, they recognize the harm their addictions are causing to them, yet they are unable to give them up.

Withdrawal: When a person with an addiction stops using, they may go through both physical and emotional withdrawal. A few physical signs are trembling, perspiration, or nausea. They could also start to feel agitated or nervous.

What sets off addiction?

Addiction is an extremely complicated disorder with many underlying causes. Changes in the chemistry of your brain play a crucial role in the onset of addiction.

Your brain is affected by substances and activities, particularly by the reward center.

The desire for rewards is innate in human nature. These benefits frequently result from positive actions. Your body releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that causes pleasure, when you eat a tasty meal or spend time with a loved one. It turns into a vicious cycle where you look for these encounters because they make you feel wonderful.

Both drugs and specific behaviors, such as spending money or having sex, cause your brain to spike with dopamine. However, such high amounts of dopamine can have detrimental impacts on your thoughts, feelings, and behavior rather than inspiring you to do the things you must do to survive (eat, work, and spend time with loved ones).

This may lead to an undesirable desire to engage in unhealthy behaviors less and seek out the drug or activity for more enjoyment.

You grow desensitized to the effects of the substances or activities over time as they alter the chemistry of your brain. Then, more is required to have the same result.

Withdrawal symptoms from some drugs, including opioids, can be so bad that they greatly increase the desire to use the drug again.

How do addictions get identified?

Your doctor may recommend that you see a psychiatrist, psychologist, or drug and alcohol counselor for an addiction diagnosis. Your healthcare professional will inquire about your problematic behaviors or drug use habits from you and maybe your loved ones.

Your doctor might want to do a physical examination and ask for urine and blood testing. Your physician can learn more about your general health from these tests. Additionally, they can aid in ruling out underlying medical issues.

How are drug addictions handled?

It’s possible for your healthcare professional to suggest a mix of therapies, such as:

Hospital administration: Withdrawals from some drugs might be hazardous. In order to provide you with treatment throughout your drug withdrawal, several hospital units use therapy and observation techniques.

Medications: Some drugs might lessen persistent withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and impulses. Your healthcare practitioner could also prescribe medicine to address any other mental health conditions you may have, such as depression or bipolar disorder.

Rehab, sometimes known as “sober living” or “residential treatment,” is another name for rehabilitation. During rehab, providers provide organized counseling, instruction, encouragement, and support. There are two types of rehab facilities: inpatient (where you dwell) and outpatient (where you attend on a set schedule). The main goals of rehab programs are to improve your quality of life and long-term addiction management.

therapeutic: A variety of therapeutic approaches assist those struggling with addiction in changing their thoughts and behaviors. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) modalities like group therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be suggested by your provider.

Support groups: A lot of people use groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous to help them manage their addiction. Families and relatives of those suffering from drug use disorders can get help from organizations such as Al-Anon. People can find continuing support and a platform to exchange experiences in these groups.