Addiction Recovery Basics

What is it that it that makes drug addiction a problem on the rise?

Why do people still destroy their lives and family?What is drug addiction and is it a matter of choice, willpower or is it a disease?

Let’s take a look at these questions more closely.

The first thing is to understand the addiction cycle. When a person takes things like alcohol or drugs, these substances alter the chemical composition of the brain. The drug or the alcohol induces the brain to release endorphins or the pleasure causing substances. Therefore, the user can drop their inhibitions and achieve the ‘high’. The process of addiction is a sine wave phenomenon with sharp peaks and troughs. As the intoxication weras off, a feeling of being let down or depresion can occur. The phenomena of craving occurs because of the body’s physical demands. He becomes focused on just one thing and that is getting high again. He spends all his energy in getting the drug or the alcohol and nothing else matters.

In other words drug addiction is not a behavior issue, In fact it is a disease. Once the person is addicted, refusal skills or willpower weakens, and use becomes almost a conditioned reflex.

Who is at risk for drug addiction? Almost everyone is at a risk; however some people are at a greater risk of addiction than the others. Three major factors come into play as far as addiction is concerned:

1. Genetics: When drug or substance abuse runs in the family, then there is a greater chance of the person getting addicted since the chemically altered nature of the brain may be hereditary.

2. Low self-esteem:Low self esteem or depression tendency may also lead to addiction. The reason for this is quite simple. People who have low self confidence or low self-esteem may be searching for easy ways to feel good. Drugs/alcohol gives them that high, which makes them feel that they are better than anyone else.

3. Emotional factors: People who crave for love or children whose parents are unable to provide them with unconditional love are also at a high risk for addiction. Such children want to be needed and loved, which they do not find at home and hence seek in peers. Most of the times, just to please their friends, they get into drugs or alcohol and oft time develops an addiction.

Addiction is a disease that ruins a capable and intelligent human being. Drug addiction and alcohol addiction need treatment, just like all other diseases. The catch in this situation is that the patient is unaware of his problem and may even deny it. Therefore it is crucial to handle the patient with understanding and love. With the right treatment drug addiction and alcohol addiction can be cured and the persons’ life put back in order.

Lets’s look at some other web postings:

Not Sure if You are into Alcohol Addiction or Drug Addiction?

Effects of Drug Addiction

Look Upon Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction as a Disease and Not Just …

The Picture of Drug Addiction

The Difference Between Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction

Technorati Tags: Addiction, addiction cycle, drug-addiction, Drugs

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