Posts Tagged ‘Brain Disease’
What is Drug Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences to the individual who is addicted and to those around them. Drug addiction is a brain disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain. Although it is true that for most people the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary, over time the changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person’s self control and ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time send intense impulses to take drugs.
It is because of these changes in the brain that it is so challenging for a person who is addicted to stop abusing drugs. Fortunately, there are treatments that help people to counteract addiction’s powerful disruptive effects and regain control. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medications, if available, with behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Treatment approaches that are tailored to each patient’s drug abuse patterns and any co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and social problems can lead to sustained recovery and a life without drug abuse. Read the rest of this entry »
Is Drug Addiction a Brain Disease?
A drug is any chemical, natural or synthetic, that once ingested alters the behavior, perception, mood changes, increases or decreases the physical or mental performance. Its most important feature is that they create habits, there is an irrepressible desire to repeat their use because they give the man a sense of wellbeing.
The drug addiction is a state of change, sometimes poisoning, caused by ingestion of one or more drugs. Read the rest of this entry »