What is addiction?

Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. ​

How common is it?

According to the 2023 United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH):​

  • 48.5 million (16.7%) Americans (aged 12 and older) battled a substance use disorder in the past year.1​
  • 10.2% of Americans 12 and older had an alcohol use disorder in the past year.1​
  • About 27.2 million Americans 12 or older (9.7%) reported battling a drug use disorder in the past year.1​
  • That same year, 7.5 million (2.7%) of Americans 12 and older struggled with both alcohol and drug use disorders simultaneously.1​
  • 20.4 million American adults (7.9%) suffered from both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorders in the past year

How dangerous is it?

Physical Health Risks ​

Increases risk of heart disease, liver damage, respiratory issues, and infections (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis).​

Can cause severe neurological effects, leading to cognitive decline, memory loss, and changes in brain structure.​

Mental Health Impact​

Strongly linked to anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.​

Heightens risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.​

Social and Economic Consequences​

Often leads to strained relationships, family issues, and isolation.​

Financial hardship due to job loss or excessive spending on drugs.

Legal Risks​

Possession and use may lead to legal consequences, including imprisonment.​

Can result in criminal charges for related behaviors like theft or driving under the influence.​

Risk of Overdose​

High potential for accidental overdose, which can be fatal.​

Risk increases with drug mixing or when tolerance fluctuates after abstinence.

The reality of drug addiction

 

Common Misconceptions about Drug Addiction​

Many people do not understand why or how addiction develops.​

A common belief is that drug users lack moral principles or willpower.​

Some think individuals could quit by simply choosing to stop.​

Reality of Drug Addiction​

Drug addiction is a complex disease, not a simple choice.​

Quitting often requires more than good intentions or strong willpower.​

Impact of Drugs on the Brain​

Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting difficult, even for those motivated to stop.​

​

How Drugs Affect the Brain's Reward Circuit​

Most drugs flood the brain's reward circuit with dopamine, a chemical messenger.​

This dopamine surge reinforces pleasurable but unhealthy behaviors.​

Reinforcement leads people to repeat the behavior repeatedly.​

​

Development of Tolerance​

Over time, the brain adapts to the excess dopamine.​

This adaptation reduces the high compared to the initial experience.​

This is known as tolerance, it drives individuals to take more of the drug to reach the same dopamine high.​

Advances in Understanding and Treatment​

Researchers now understand more about how drugs affect the brain.​

Effective treatments are available that support recovery and help people lead productive lives.

What does recovery look like

Recovery is a lifelong process that calls for constant effort, commitment, and assistance. It is a continuous healing process rather than an isolated incident.​

Individualized recovery: Every person's path to recovery is different, influenced by things including their support networks, personal history, and kind of addiction.​

Recovery Stages:​

Pre-contemplation: The person might not admit that a change is necessary.​

Though they are aware of the issue, the person has not yet made a commitment to change.​

Preparation: The person starts organizing plans to deal with the addiction.​

Action: The person makes a concerted effort to enhance their routines and behaviors.​

Maintenance: A sustained effort to abstain and prevent relapse.​

Success in recovery is possible: With the right resources, dedication, and support, individuals can lead fulfilling, sober lives.

Key components of recovery:​

Detoxification: The initial step where substances are cleared from the body under medical supervision.​

Therapy and counseling: Psychological support through individual or group therapy to address underlying issues.​

Support groups: Programs like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or NA (Narcotics Anonymous) offer peer support and a sense of community.​

Relapse prevention: Strategies to cope with triggers and stressors that may lead to a return to substance use.​

Challenges in recovery:​

Cravings and triggers: Overcoming the desire to use substances and identifying situations that may cause relapse.​

Stigma: The societal judgment surrounding addiction can affect self-esteem and hinder recovery efforts.​

Mental health issues: Many people in recovery have co-occurring mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety).​

Importance of support systems:​

Family and friends: Emotional support and understanding are critical for long-term success.​

Professional help: Counseling, medical professionals, and recovery coaches can offer necessary guidance and treatment.

Why is there such a negative stigma

Ignorance and misunderstanding: Many people have biases and assumptions since they don't fully comprehend addiction as an illness.​

Moral judgments: Addiction is usually perceived as a moral failing or fault rather than as a complex medical illness.​

Dread and Uncertainty: People dread addiction due to its unpredictability and the possible social consequences, including rejection and discrimination. The media's frequent negative depictions of addicts contribute to negative attitudes of people who battle drug abuse.​

Social and cultural norms: People who require treatment may find it more difficult to seek help in some cultures because addiction is stigmatized.

Historical Context: The criminalization of addiction, particularly substance abuse, has contributed to its stigmatization as a legal and moral issue rather than a health concern.​

Fear of Enabling: People may avoid helping addicts because they fear enabling negative behaviors or that addiction is a “lost cause.”​

Lack of Empathy: Addicts are less empathetic since addiction is typically perceived as a "blame" rather than an understanding lens.​

Perceived Threat to Social Order: Addiction is often associated with disruptive behaviors that can affect families, workplaces, and communities, leading to fear and a desire to distance from those affected.

What can you do to help

Teach others and yourself that addiction is a chronic, complicated illness rather than a moral failing.​

Use language that isn't judgmental: Stay away from terms like "addict" or "junkie" and use "person with a substance use disorder."​

Promote empathy: Instead of passing judgment, show empathy and support to those who are battling addiction.​

Dispel stereotypes: Address misunderstandings about addiction head-on in discussions and media representations.​

​Encourage access to treatment: Promote laws that expand access to harm reduction initiatives, recovery assistance, and treatment.​

Normalize asking for assistance: Promote candid conversations about addiction and mental health, emphasizing that asking for assistance is a show of strength.​

Tell recovery stories: Emphasize the success stories of people in recovery to demonstrate that addiction can be overcome.​

Encourage communities that are supportive: Establish secure, non-stigmatizing spaces for those in recovery

 

Created and owned by Owen Ballum