Addiction is driven by chemical imbalances in the brain, which can be restored with the help of several modalities. When combined with behavioral health services like counseling and group therapy, these options can help people become more stable and healthier.
In order to have a proper understanding of the potential dangers and this disease, you can learn about the different addiction terms. The majority of individuals require long-term or ongoing treatment in order to give up substance use entirely and reclaim their lives. Here are a few things to keep in mind about addiction that will help us all in this fight. Let’s get started!
Never an Option
First and foremost, addiction to drugs is not a personal failure. Drug addiction is a chemical imbalance in the brain. The midbrain is activated by dopamine to create a long-lasting memory of the event, which includes the positive emotions and the context in which they were experienced. Addicts’ conditioned associations with specific people, places, or things can trigger drug cravings in the future.
This becomes a self-perpetuating cycle wherein tolerance breeds further tolerance which produces further dependence. Addiction is a never-ending cycle, unfortunately, until some sort of intervention happens.
Anyone could be in danger
Addiction does not discriminate on the basis of socioeconomic status, level of education, skin color, geographic location, or intelligence.
Addiction is a disease from which no one is safe. But why some people are more vulnerable than others is still a mystery. There must be more investigation into this.
Harmful effects on human society are caused by the addiction stigma
You must have heard people refer to people with substance use disorders as “hopeless,” “a waste of resources,” “scumbags,” “slugs,” “lowlifes,” and other derogatory terms we would never use to describe other types of patients. They are our friends, neighbors, coworkers, teachers, and family members; they are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews, and it is our responsibility to look out for them.
Mental health illness
An addict’s hopelessness is an illusion; behind the drug use and possible mental illness is a scared person. The addict may have given up hope of ever leading an everyday life after being written off and marginalized by our current systems.
Drug addiction is misunderstood and stigmatized as a moral failing when, in reality, it is a chronic mental health disease with relapsing and remitting phases. Abstinence, which helps a minuscule percentage of addicts, has been the only viable treatment option until recently.
There are highly effective treatment options available
Brain regions responsible for processing rewards, motivation, memory, and behavioral regulation are all disrupted in addicts. To be cured, one must address the underlying causes of their addiction, which cannot be done in a matter of days.
Most people need ongoing or repeated treatment to finally beat their addiction and get their lives back on track. Having access to a variety of treatment options, as well as aftercare services, can increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. The treatment process should incorporate medical and mental health care as required. Community- or family-based recovery support may be provided.
