Addiction

ADDICTION

Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences.

Despite the involvement of a number of psychosocial factors, a biological process—one that is induced by repeated exposure to an addictive stimulus—is the core pathology that drives the development and maintenance of an addiction, according to the "brain disease model" of addiction.^[3] However, many scholars who study addiction argue that the brain disease model is incomplete and misleading.

How Do You Know You Are Addicted

   

One of the most common signs of addiction is a compulsive desire to use substances, crowding out rational and responsible thinking. If you are unable to control your substance use or experience intense drug or alcohol cravings, you may have a substance use disorder. These are the symptoms that you are Addicted - 

One of the most common signs of addiction is a compulsive desire to use substances, crowding out rational and responsible thinking. If you are unable to control your substance use or experience intense drug or alcohol cravings, you may have a substance use disorder.

Treatment

Receiving treatment is essential for breaking the cycle of addiction.

In the United States, around 8.1 percent of the population, or 21.7 million people, either need or regularly receive treatment for substance use disorders, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

The first step towards recovery is acknowledging that substance use has become a problem in the person’s life which is disrupting the quality of their life. This can result from impairment in school, work, social, recreational or other important areas of function.

Once an individual recognizes the negative impact of a substance on their life, a wide range of treatment options is available.

A person with an addictive disorder requires access to treatment. For most people, treatment may last for the rest of their life. They will need to abstain from the substance on a life-long basis, which can be difficult. Treatment plans for addictive disorders will often change to meet the needs of the patient.

Detoxification

Detoxification is normally the first step in treatment. This involves clearing a substance from the body and limiting withdrawal reactions.

In 80 percent of cases, a treatment clinic will use medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).If a person is addicted to more than one substance, they will often need medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms for each.

In 2017, an electronic device called the NSS-2 Bridge became available to reduce opiate withdrawal. The device sits behind the ear and gives off electrical pulses to trigger certain nerves that might provide relief from withdrawal symptoms.

              Addiction
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Therapy might be one-to-one or a group session.

This is the most common form of treatment following detoxification.

Therapy might occur on a one-to-one, group, or family basis depending on the needs of the individual. It is usually intensive at the outset of treatment with the number of sessions gradual