Addiction And Substance Abuse

Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, alcohol, opium, tobacco, hypnotics, just to name a few. Addiction is a chronic disease that affects the chemicals in the brain. It dysfunctions the circuits in the brain that deal with memory, reward, sex, motivation, behavior, relationships and emotions all mostly resulting in substance use or other behaviors to fulfill those circuit rewards. This world is in a current addiction epidemic on drugs. Let’s try to understand addiction to make it a little clearer.

The definition of addiction is the continuing, compulsive use of a substance despite negative physical, mental or societal consequences of the substance. (Drug addiction and drug abuse, 1) To be psychologically dependent upon a substance is to feel the need to have the substance to maintain the feeling of well being. (Drug addiction and drug abuse, 1) Physical need is determined by tolerance levels for the substance. There would be a need for increase in dosage to achieve the same feeling. (Drug addiction and drug abuse, 1)

The meaning of a word portrays what it encompasses and if the phrase itself is misunderstood then defining what it’s trying to explain can be a studious task. Addiction has been defined by many and holds different meanings based on the context it’s used in. Addiction can be defined as a condition in which a person undertakes the use of substance, or engages in activities, which in turn brings pleasure, and tends to divert oneself from their day-to-day duties and responsibilities. Addiction is mostly related to drug use but it is also used to describe non-drug entities, such as gambling, and Internet addictions (Avena et al, 2008). Researchers (Herbert, J. D., Forman, E. M., 2010) have been keen on identifying the factors that lead to

The definition of addiction involves among others: the existence of tolerance (must gradually increase the dose to get the same effect); withdrawal in its absence and the compulsive use of a drug despite knowing the negative consequences on

Addiction is the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity. Know just imagine someone’s addiction is alcohol, drinking all day and

Addiction claims the user through physiological dependence that creates a need for the drug of choice on a very basic level. Through repeated substance abuse, the user gains tolerance for the drug, needing it in larger amounts, and on a more frequent basis, until the body cannot function normally without the drug. Withdrawal symptoms now also occur upon attempting to halt use. This is how substance abuse becomes the disease of addiction.

Addiction can be life threatening for the person and his family. Medically, addiction is a state of mind of the affected individual, which means a mental weakness that he or she is unable overcome. When addictions are left untreated, a person is likely to develop some severe to chronic behavioral changes.

Addiction is a physical and or a psychological dependence on a mood altering substance or behavior that is continued despite negative consequences. In Gerald G. Mays’ book Addiction & Grace

Any adverse dependency consequences caused by a specific behavior or using substances that alter one's mood continuously are referred to as addiction. A person can be addicted to many things, but the most common are, gambling, smoking, too much exercising, drug abuse, and alcohol abuse. Addiction can cause someone to lose control over the substance or behavior they have acquired, and the body becomes more tolerant. This leads to the person having to use larger amounts in order to get the initial results.

What is addiction? The most common definition is the condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity. Addiction is so much more than that. People with addiction may not realize that their problem is out of control and could be causing problems for themselves or others around them. Addiction becomes an all-time thing and interferes with usual life responsibilities like relationships, social life, work, and health. People that are struggling with addiction, often cannot quit on their own. Addiction is an illness that entails treatment,

According to the American Psychological Association, addiction is a condition in which the body must have a drug to avoid physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Addiction’s first stage is dependence, during which the search for a drug dominates an individual’s life. An addict eventually develops tolerance, which forces the person to consume larger and larger doses of the drug to get

However one defines addiction, the addicted person has to first start using a substance, and this is where other key factors come in.

Addiction is willingly engaging and repeating an activity in which you know is causing a negative effect on your life. It’s when you put your life or some other person’s life in danger for the mere fact of seeking pleasure from the activity. Addiction is also feeding that urge which is difficult to control. As humans we don’t like to admit that we are being controlled by an outside force. We tell a lie to ourselves that we have full control of our lives when that is not the case.

Many aspects contribute to an individual's ability to resist drug use and most importantly addiction, significantly fueling the debate whether it is nature or nurture that is the primary consideration in understanding addiction (Crofton, Zhang, & Green, 2015). Addiction is a disease based on the ability of drugs and their use to alter a person’s brain and behavior whereby they compulsively seek drugs despite any other associated risk (Stanis& Andersen, 2014). Drug use is thought to alter the brain’s dopamine surges where receptors for dopamine are reduced (Stanis& Andersen, 2014). However, despite substantial research that supports addiction as a disease, controversy exists in that it is usually the individual who initially chooses to use drugs. Numerous observers support that is this primary voluntary choice that makes it difficult for some to see drugs addicts as anything other than criminal. Otherwise, drug use would probably be legal, and there would be few drug crimes. Focusing on resilience may be a consideration that could find support over a broader spectrum of beliefs. Resilience will be discussed.

Addiction is defined as an overuse of any substance that changes the natural chemical balance of the brain. It is generally agreed upon that addiction includes biological, psychological, and behavioral factors.