When you hear the word \u201caddiction,” you probably have some ideas that come to mind:<\/p>\n
Those behaviors can certainly be part of an addiction, but addiction is so much more than just a behavior. Addiction affects a person in every aspect of their lives. And, just as important, it affects those who love them.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re on the outside looking in, it can be hard to understand why your loved one just doesn\u2019t stop. If you\u2019re the person struggling with the addiction, you probably find yourself wondering, \u201cWhy can\u2019t I just stop?\u201d<\/p>\n
Being able to stop is not about willpower. Or weakness. Or obstinance. When your loved one says, \u201cI can\u2019t stop on my own\u201d, there is truth in what they\u2019re saying. Addiction holds a power over the person in a way that willpower alone cannot control.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take a closer look at this thing called addiction.<\/p>\n
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a \u201ctreatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual\u2019s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.\u201d1<\/sup><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n People often wonder why addiction is considered a brain disease and not just a behavior. Addiction is considered a brain disease because the misuse of substances like alcohol and drugs literally changes the brain – neurochemically, functionally, and structurally. Once thought to be just a \u201cchoice\u201d, we now know that certain substances and behaviors create verifiable changes in the brain.2<\/sup><\/u><\/a>For example, functional MRI (fMRI) studies have found that certain substances and actions have been to trigger intense responses in the brain\u2019s pleasure receptors. Neurotransmitters that normally regulate thinking and behavior are disrupted. These and other changes serve to reinforce the body\u2019s need for the substance creating dependence.<\/p>\n Addictions include addiction to substances such as alcohol addiction, opioid addiction, benzodiazepine addiction, stimulant addiction, and illicit drug addiction. Addictions can also be to behaviors or processes. These addictions may not involve a substance. Common behavioral addictions include gambling addiction, pornography addiction, sex addiction, love addiction, gaming addiction, and even food addiction.<\/p>\n Of course, not everyone who drinks, misuses substances, or gambles develops an addiction. So what is addiction’s development process?<\/p>\n Addiction is based on the pleasure principle. This idea might be surprising since the reality of addiction is anything but pleasurable. But addiction starts in the brain which releases dopamine when it detects something pleasurable. Drugs and alcohol flood the brain with dopamine resulting in an intense but short-lived pleasure response.<\/p>\n Normally, when faced with a choice to do something, your brain\u2019s decision-making center can decide if it\u2019s worth it or not. Drugs and alcohol disrupt the risk\/reward circuits in the brain leaving you wanting more. The pre-frontal cortex, the brain\u2019s decision-making center, becomes impaired and the person can\u2019t make the decision to stop even when they know the consequences are dire. Fear of not being able to get the drug also triggers the brain\u2019s danger-alert system.3<\/sup><\/u><\/a>Using helps to temporarily meet the need for reward and avert the perceived \u201cdanger\u201d\u2026until next time.<\/p>\n Why is it that not everyone who uses substances becomes addicted? The truth is, science doesn’t have a cut-and-dry answer. What we do know is that certain factors seem to increase the risk that someone may be more susceptible to developing an addiction.<\/p>\n Addiction doesn\u2019t happen in isolation. Every person with an addiction is someone\u2019s child, spouse, parent, sibling, or friend. Addiction affects the person and the people who love and care for them. It can create rifts in even the most loving families. Dealing with a loved one\u2019s addiction is stressful. Not every family member will see the addiction the same way or cope with it in the same way.<\/p>\n Understanding what addiction is and how it develops can help you and your loved ones separate the person from the addiction. When you can do that, you are able to see the person you love still there and worthy of love and care, even when their behavior hard to understand. Knowing what to do to help move someone towards recovery is not always clear. That\u2019s where an addictions expert can help.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re seeking care for yourself or for a loved one, the expert clinical team at All Points North Lodge is here to help you take the next step towards healing and recovery. We offer programs designed for addictions and mental health disorders. Nestled in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, APN Lodge offers a luxury rehab experience that offers the perfect environment for healing, personal growth, and recovery. Using evidence-based treatment approaches, our team of clinicians has the expertise to guide you through the process from referral through program completion. To learn about all that the APN Lodge experience offers, reach out to one of our Contact Center team members at 866-525-9107. Let us help you find your way forward.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n References<\/strong><\/p>\nHow Addictions Develop<\/h2>\n
Risk Factors for Developing an Addiction<\/h2>\n
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Addiction Is A Family Problem<\/h2>\n
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*We cannot understate the importance of working with a doctor and therapist as you recover. This content is intended as medical advice. Interested in therapy or treatment? Call us today or chat with a team member by clicking on the chat icon for more information.<\/h4>\n
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