Dependency on a drug is a disease – a chemically induced, complex brain disease.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes drug addiction as
“a disease that erodes a person’s self-control and ability to make sound decisions, while sending intense impulses to take drugs or alcohol.”
Addiction results from using mind-altering substances too much, too often, and sadly – too young.
Abusing drugs disrupts the way your critical brain interacts. It becomes a mental health issue. You’ll find it hard and sometimes confusing to:
- Control Judgements
- Make Decisions
- Manage Behaviors
Abusing drugs becomes a mental health issue.
You’ll find your addiction hard and sometimes confusing. While it can temporarily relieve your problems; more often it makes them worse. It makes them worse because you are farming out the natural coping mechanisms that you need to make judgments, decision and manage your behaviors.
This creates confusion and the ever-increasing delusion that you can manage the drug when in reality – it is managing you.
The inability to regulate behavior is the key feature of this disease.
Because addiction is primarily manifested in behaviors that are understood as choices — people have a hard time understanding and accepting drug addiction as a disease.
Other diseases, like diabetes and heart disease, identify with physical symptoms.
Addiction does not. Addiction is a chronic brain disease.
Most people perceive addictive behaviors as poor choices and conscious decisions.
That may be true in the initial decisions and early stages of use; but it changes with time and usage.
Science has proven that it’s not a matter of “choice.”
Drugs are 2 to 10 times more rewarding than natural rewards. These huge imprints create memory bumps that have a permanent influence on behavior. They trick the brain into believing that drugs are necessary for your survival and have to be remembered and repeated.
The repeated use of drugs and alcohol ultimately changes your brain’s chemistry. Eventually it becomes normal to have the substance present. It messes with your mind and body. Your brain tells you to get it (one more time) while your body experiences intense withdrawal symptoms when the drug is no longer present.
Whatever the reasons, over time, you will lose control.
Some people may drink or do drugs to cope with feelings of depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem. This creates a cycle of chasing relief with a response that leads to distress. Others may want to escape for fun.
Overall, most people would agree that addictive drugs produce a reward system in the brain. Using addictive drugs gives you a feeling of well-being and can alleviate bad feelings.
As regular use continues, your behavior will become increasingly impulsive and unpredictable.
The powerful disruptive effect of the disease of addiction, in all areas of your life, ultimately leads to:
- addictive beliefs,
- defensive attitudes,
- guilty feelings,
- anger issues, and
- hopelessness.
Continued use has catastrophic consequences.
People with substance use disorder often lose everything that was once dear to them. You don’t have to “reach rock bottom.”
If you suffer with the chronic brain disease of addiction, call us. We’re here to help you on your road to recovery.
Give us a call 316-295-4800 or use our contact form to email us.
Take Care. You can do this.
