Inside the Disease of Addiction

Addiction to alcohol and drugs is a disease that can affect anyone, regardless of their race, age, socioeconomic status, or religious affiliation. The problem of substance abuse is so prevalent in our society, but some people still have a slight reluctance to call such addiction a “disease.” Substance addiction and abuse has been officially recognized as a disease for many years now, but the public as a whole can waver in their ability to fully comprehend how addiction can be classified in this manner. This connection needs to be better made and become common knowledge, because only by understanding it in this way will society be able to properly deal with those addicted to drugs and alcohol. Those suffering from an addiction should receive help at a substance abuse treatment center like The Right Step. We fully understand the disease of addiction, and employ various methods to help our residents break free from the chains of drug and alcohol dependence. 

The Science of Addiction

To understand how addiction can be classified as a disease, one needs a better understanding of the brain chemistry of addiction. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that relay, intensify and alter signals between neurons and other cells. When someone takes an addictive drug, whether it be alcohol, cocaine, nicotine, or crystal meth, the brain gets flooded with a neurotransmitter called dopamine. This neurotransmitter is generally related to feelings of pleasure and excitement, and is associated with the reward center of the brain. In a normal brain, dopamine is released when the person experiences pleasure. However, chronic use of addictive substances means that the brain begins producing less dopamine on its own since it’s so used to getting flooded with dopamine as a result of the addiction. This leads to the abuser being unable to experience pleasure from his normal life, which gradually creates a dependency on the drug to experience happiness. And with many drugs, the high becomes less intense over time, meaning that more and more of the drug need to be used to achieve the same effects.

Addiction can be classified as a disease because there is a direct physical occurrence that happens in the brain from drug use. Other reasons showing that alcohol and drug addiction is a disease include:

• The course of the illness is predictable and progressive.
• It is a chronic condition that does not go away and cannot be cured, only managed.
• The person is subject to relapse.
• Genetics play a large role in determining if someone will develop substance abuse problems.
• It is terminal – if left untreated, it could result in premature death.
• It is treatable.