The Science of Addiction
NIDA Pub Number: 10-5605
Published: April 2007 Revised: August 2010 Author: National Institute on Drug Abuse Click Here to View |
Other Resources
If Your Adult Child is an Addict
Before You Do a Formal Intervention Facts about Suboxone Periodic Table of Drug Addiction Check out these weblinks for overviews of addiction: For the most up-to-date information on various addictions and reviews of top treatment centers across the country, see Addiction Center.
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Addictions and Disorders
What are Addictions and Disorders?
Addiction is a disease. Most experts agree it's a disorder of the brain. The person using the substance or continuing compulsive behaviors only deepens the disorder in the brain and then the addiction controls every aspect of how they behave. An addiction disorder usually doesn't start overnight (cocaine is a huge exception to this rule) and is progressive. Over time, the person needs more and more of the addictive substance or to continue the compulsive behavior to get the same effect.
Addiction is short-term relief from emotional pain to control their moods or immediate gratification to escape into the euphoria it gives them to make life tolerable, which turns into a long-term affliction, multiplying the person’s troubles. Those struggling to cope with painful emotions, such as depression, boredom, stress, loneliness, or anxiety may feel immediate relief, but over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to get the same "high."
The reasons that some people start abusing substances or begin persistent uncontrollable behaviors can vary. For some, they may take drugs to enhance their performance by giving them a boost and for others it could simply start out as peer pressure and just a “fun night out” or to feel more confident in their social life. Others with an obsessive-compulsive disorder may start to silently count to themselves to temporarily relieve their anxiety.
The Nature of Addictions and Disorders –The Common Ground of Addictive Behaviors
No matter what the addiction, there are many aspects of the addictive behavior that the individual addictions have in common. Here are a few significant addictive behaviors:
Loss of control - People who are addicted cannot control their craving for the substance or their compulsion for a negative behavior, regardless of the consequences to their health, family and friends, career or wallet.
Compulsive behavior – Persistent behavior (a hallmark of addictions) that always leads to negative consequences. The addiction is a habitual replacement for essential needs not being satisfied. The user continues the out of control behavior despite losing their family and friends, jobs, homes and connection to reality.
Denial – Persons with addictions are incapable of seeing that they have a problem. Denial is a defense mechanism used to avoid coping with the situation, which makes it difficult for the person to admit that they need help. People suffering from an addiction disorder either insist they do not have a problem or blame others.
Escalation – The loss of self-control continues to spiral and accelerate out of control. Willpower is no match for the disease. The person will be out-powered if they try only to use willpower to conquer the addiction. Despite repeated attempts, the addicted person does not know how to quit. Therapy can help by getting to the root of the problem.
Manipulation – Lying to family, friends and co-workers is common among addicted persons. They all manipulate. And co-dependent loved ones will continue to be manipulated until they understand that they cannot stop the addiction, they can only decide to stop allowing the manipulation. This action can be the first step to get the addict on the road to recovery. When a loved one feels responsible for others’ actions, behaviors, feelings, choices and well-being, they are becoming a co-dependent of the addicted person and begin denying their own emotional needs and feelings.
Types of Addiction
Alcohol and drugs are the addiction disorders that come to mind for most people when they think about addictions. But there are a myriad of addictive disorders that afflict the person and affect their family and friends. And to make matters worse, people with addictions usually have multiple addictions (concurrent addictions): Compulsive gambling, eating disorders, sexual addictions, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder are just a few.
If you or a loved one has experienced a relapse – don’t give up hope – addiction treatment can still work for you. By going back to treatment for addiction with a skilled therapist who can adjust the treatment approach, you can get back on track.
Addiction is a disease. Most experts agree it's a disorder of the brain. The person using the substance or continuing compulsive behaviors only deepens the disorder in the brain and then the addiction controls every aspect of how they behave. An addiction disorder usually doesn't start overnight (cocaine is a huge exception to this rule) and is progressive. Over time, the person needs more and more of the addictive substance or to continue the compulsive behavior to get the same effect.
Addiction is short-term relief from emotional pain to control their moods or immediate gratification to escape into the euphoria it gives them to make life tolerable, which turns into a long-term affliction, multiplying the person’s troubles. Those struggling to cope with painful emotions, such as depression, boredom, stress, loneliness, or anxiety may feel immediate relief, but over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to get the same "high."
The reasons that some people start abusing substances or begin persistent uncontrollable behaviors can vary. For some, they may take drugs to enhance their performance by giving them a boost and for others it could simply start out as peer pressure and just a “fun night out” or to feel more confident in their social life. Others with an obsessive-compulsive disorder may start to silently count to themselves to temporarily relieve their anxiety.
The Nature of Addictions and Disorders –The Common Ground of Addictive Behaviors
No matter what the addiction, there are many aspects of the addictive behavior that the individual addictions have in common. Here are a few significant addictive behaviors:
Loss of control - People who are addicted cannot control their craving for the substance or their compulsion for a negative behavior, regardless of the consequences to their health, family and friends, career or wallet.
Compulsive behavior – Persistent behavior (a hallmark of addictions) that always leads to negative consequences. The addiction is a habitual replacement for essential needs not being satisfied. The user continues the out of control behavior despite losing their family and friends, jobs, homes and connection to reality.
Denial – Persons with addictions are incapable of seeing that they have a problem. Denial is a defense mechanism used to avoid coping with the situation, which makes it difficult for the person to admit that they need help. People suffering from an addiction disorder either insist they do not have a problem or blame others.
Escalation – The loss of self-control continues to spiral and accelerate out of control. Willpower is no match for the disease. The person will be out-powered if they try only to use willpower to conquer the addiction. Despite repeated attempts, the addicted person does not know how to quit. Therapy can help by getting to the root of the problem.
Manipulation – Lying to family, friends and co-workers is common among addicted persons. They all manipulate. And co-dependent loved ones will continue to be manipulated until they understand that they cannot stop the addiction, they can only decide to stop allowing the manipulation. This action can be the first step to get the addict on the road to recovery. When a loved one feels responsible for others’ actions, behaviors, feelings, choices and well-being, they are becoming a co-dependent of the addicted person and begin denying their own emotional needs and feelings.
Types of Addiction
Alcohol and drugs are the addiction disorders that come to mind for most people when they think about addictions. But there are a myriad of addictive disorders that afflict the person and affect their family and friends. And to make matters worse, people with addictions usually have multiple addictions (concurrent addictions): Compulsive gambling, eating disorders, sexual addictions, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder are just a few.
If you or a loved one has experienced a relapse – don’t give up hope – addiction treatment can still work for you. By going back to treatment for addiction with a skilled therapist who can adjust the treatment approach, you can get back on track.
Types of Treatment for Alcohol/Drug Addiction
Drug & Alcohol Detox : This is for individuals who are physically addicted to alcohol and or other drugs and who are in need of medical supervision as they withdraw. This is usually in a hospital setting and usually takes from 3 to 10 days. Usually the individual will need either the means to pay for this or have insurance that will cover it.
Private Alcohol and or Drug Rehab : For individuals who are in need of inpatient treatment and who can afford to pay for this or who have insurance that will cover it. Stays in these programs can be from two weeks to three months or more.
HalfWay Houses: These are places where addicts and/or alcoholics go to stay after inpatient treatment if they need more structure and assistance with their addiction than returning home will afford them.
Prescription Drug Detox : This is usually done at an outpatient alcoholism/drug treatment facility but can be done at a private doctor’s office.
Prescription Rehab : This is usually done at an outpatient alcoholism/drug treatment facility but can be done at a private doctor’s office.
Dual-Diagnosis: This is help that is offered to individuals who have alcoholism/chemical dependency but also have an additional mental illness.
Group Therapy: Is offered in both inpatient and outpatient settings and works well with individuals who have alcoholism/chemical dependency.
Individual Therapy : Is usually offered as a part of other treatment.
Support and Recovery 12 Step Groups: These are free of charge and are available in most communities. They include but are not limited to: Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Alanon Family Groups, and Alateen.
Private Alcohol and or Drug Rehab : For individuals who are in need of inpatient treatment and who can afford to pay for this or who have insurance that will cover it. Stays in these programs can be from two weeks to three months or more.
HalfWay Houses: These are places where addicts and/or alcoholics go to stay after inpatient treatment if they need more structure and assistance with their addiction than returning home will afford them.
Prescription Drug Detox : This is usually done at an outpatient alcoholism/drug treatment facility but can be done at a private doctor’s office.
Prescription Rehab : This is usually done at an outpatient alcoholism/drug treatment facility but can be done at a private doctor’s office.
Dual-Diagnosis: This is help that is offered to individuals who have alcoholism/chemical dependency but also have an additional mental illness.
Group Therapy: Is offered in both inpatient and outpatient settings and works well with individuals who have alcoholism/chemical dependency.
Individual Therapy : Is usually offered as a part of other treatment.
Support and Recovery 12 Step Groups: These are free of charge and are available in most communities. They include but are not limited to: Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Alanon Family Groups, and Alateen.
