What is Drug Addiction?

Vian — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:41:25 +0000

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.

Similar to other chronic, relapsing diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, drug addiction can be managed successfully. And, as with other chronic diseases, it is not uncommon for a person to relapse and begin abusing drugs again. Relapse, however, does not signal failure—rather, it indicates that treatment should be reinstated, adjusted, or that alternate treatment is needed to help the individual regain control and recover.

Is Drug Addiction a Brain Disease?

Engy — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:54:55 +0000

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.

Drug addiction is poisoning caused by different agents such as alcohol, snuff or alkaloids that disrupt life and may lead to its destruction.

The main reasons are toxomanías all fear of pain and anxiety of being. All addictive drugs are detrimental to health and lead to disorders that are manifested by internal pains, loss of consciousness and disturbance increasingly severe nerve ending in crisis with hallucinations and delusions similar to those of schizophrenia.

The neurological basis of drug dependence are almost established. There is talk of a change in the levels of dopamine in certain brain areas as the main cause of addiction. Addictive drugs can change the fundamental modes brain says Leshler (*), producing drug craving and compulsive and uncontrollable.

Is drug addiction a brain disease? If so, what would be a possible treatment? This is what I set out to investigate to make this monograph. .

* Alan Leshner Director National Institute on Drug Abuse, Rockville (Maryland, USA)

Drug Addiction Treatment » Brain Disease

What is Drug Addiction?

Is Drug Addiction a Brain Disease?