Addiction is a condition that people tend to have an opinion about but often without knowing the facts. At our Sacramento drug rehab, we know that the better educated people are about substance abuse, the more understanding and supportive they tend to be of people who are battling addiction. Below is some information for anyone who has a friend, family member, or coworker who has experienced a substance abuse issue or dependency.
Important Truths on Addiction
Here are some facts about addiction and treatments for it:
Addiction can be treated
It’s important for both people who are fighting addiction and their loved ones to know that addiction is a treatable condition. Achieving recovery requires time, effort, and support, but it can be done. Treatment can involve a wide range of therapies including counseling and medication.
Addiction is a disease
There was a time when addiction was considered to be a character flaw or a weakness. However, we now know that addiction is an illness affecting the reward centers of the brain. We also understand that the longer a person struggles with addiction, the more it affects their judgement and impulse control — behaviors that are symptoms of the disease, not the disease itself.
There is a genetic component to addiction
Research is ongoing, but experts believe that the combination of genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors affect a person’s likelihood of developing an addiction. The relationship of these and other factors is complex and not yet fully understood, but clearly addiction is not simply about a choice to use or not use.
There is a relationship between addiction and certain other disorders
Conditions like anxiety, depression, and ADHD are experienced by as many as 60 percent of substance abusers. Like much about addiction, this relationship is still being studied, but we have learned that what is known as “comorbidity” makes it more difficult to treat each of the conditions that are present.
Age at onset of substance use affects addiction
Not surprisingly since addiction “rewires” parts of the brain, the younger a person is when they start using drugs or alcohol, the more serious the problem tends to be.
Addiction can involve other behaviors
Activities like gambling, sex, eating, and exercising can be classified as addictions if a person loses control of them.
Working from a Foundation of Facts
The most effective way to recover from addiction is to ignore myths and opinions and focus on the facts. We use a proven methodology at our Sacramento drug rehab to help people get clean, sober, and healthy. Call us to learn more about our programs: (800) 205-6107.
Content medically reviewed by Vicky Magobet, PMHNP-BC, on September 18th, 2017.
