Why Is Addiction A Disease

More than 1 out of every 7 Americans ages 12 and older meet the criteria for a substance abuse disorder. But, is addiction a disease? Substance abuse disorders, such as addiction and alcoholism, are progressive and chronic mental health diseases that cause changes to your brain chemistry, decision making processes and cognition. Even though addiction impacts tens of millions of people annually, less than half of those struggling with a substance abuse problem ultimately complete treatment.

Drug overdoses are also the leading cause of accidental death in the country, making addiction a potentially fatal disease. Finding help from a treatment center with life skills training in Jacksonville is the best way to begin recovering from an addiction or substance abuse problem.

Is Addiction a Disease?

So, why is addiction a disease? When you use drugs and alcohol, your brain associates psychoactive substances like alcohol and opiates with pleasure. Drugs and alcohol are neurotransmitter inhibitors, causing your brain to release an intense rush of neurotransmitters whenever you use. Once the effects of your substance of choice end, you experience a sudden depletion of pleasurable neurotransmitters like GABA, serotonin, and dopamine.

You can begin to experience cravings as your brain demands more of your substance of choice. Cravings intensify when you are exposed to triggers, which can be people, places or things that remind you of your substance of choice. During addiction, you can spend excessively on drugs and alcohol and experience mood and behavioral changes. Substances of abuse can impair your judgment and increase your chances of engaging in dangerous or risky behavior.

When you become addicted to drugs or alcohol, you can:

• Have difficulty controlling or stopping your drug or alcohol use
• Feel regret, guilt or shame about your substance use
• Attempt to conceal or hide your substance use
• Isolate from friends and family members in order to use drugs or alcohol
• Experience legal problems related to your drug or alcohol use

How is Addiction Treated?

Substance abuse treatment can occur on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Both types of treatment programs offer evidence-based treatments. Life skills training Jacksonville offers can help you learn how to re-enter the workforce following treatment. Learning how to manage negative emotions, such as anxiety, depression, and stress is an important aspect of substance abuse treatment.

Treatment helps you identify and change negative thinking patterns, emotions and behaviors. Relapse prevention planning, which provides you with healthy coping skills, prepares you for life after treatment. Nearly half of all people in recovery have at least one relapse. Treatment helps decrease your chances of relapsing and increases your odds of maintaining long term sobriety and abstinence.

Inpatient programs are residential and provide increased structure and supervision, which is especially beneficial if you have a severe addiction or a co-occurring disorder.

Contact Beaches Recovery Today

If you are wondering is addiction a disease, the answer is yes. Addiction will continue to worsen and can lead to a fatal overdose. Don’t let addiction destroy your life. Reach out to Beaches Recovery today at 866.605.0532 and take the first step in the recovery process.