Addiction Essay

1878 Words4 Pages

What is addiction? Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of the brain reward and memory circuitry. Addiction is the inability to abstain consistently from a substance which leads to an impairment in behavioral control. This forms cravings, a diminished idea of significant problems with one’s behavior, and dysfunctional emotional responses (Definition of Addiction 2014. p 1). There are several different substances that a person can be addicted to: alcohol, drugs, food, sex, etc. These substances affect the neurotransmitters and interactions within the reward structures of the brain. Thus giving the person a pleasurable feeling that they want to recreate over and over again. Most people are not able to control the use of their desired substance of choice. They may continue using the substance despite knowing it is harmful. There are characteristic stages of abstinence and relapse. The abstinence stage is where the addicted person tries to quit using. Unfortunately most are not successful because it is almost too hard to quit on their own. This is followed by a relapse stage where they start using the substance again. Addiction can cause serious long-term consequences including issues with mental and physical health, relationships, employment and the law. To help a person overcome an addiction it may take help from a doctor, family, friends, support groups or an organized treatment program.
In society today, there is a controversial argument on whether addiction really is a brain disease or not. Some people feel that addiction is really a brain disease that affected individuals cannot control, while others feel that it is a test of strength and will. Both arguments have valid points that can be discussed further.
Is addiction...

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...t is so hard for addicts to quit on their own. Quitting is not just a sheer force of will. When your brain is affected and changed it makes it even harder. My cousin got addicted to drugs and went through several rehab programs, but each time he would relapse right back into the same addicting behaviors as before. I now understand why it was so hard for him to resist and stay clean. His brain was not the same as it was before, the drugs had hijacked his dopamine receptors, making his brain want higher and higher levels of dopamine. This ultimately led to his death when he overdosed on several different kinds of drugs.
Addiction is what is it is. Every person in the world has a point of view, perspective, or opinion on it. There are two sides to every story. Some individuals believe it is a brain disease while others do not. What side will you choose on addiction?

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