Addiction is often mischaracterized as a personal failing, but in truth it’s a serious medical condition that affects people of all ages, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. It’s also not limited to alcohol and drugs—pleasurable activities such as gambling, shopping, and sex can also manifest as addictive behaviors. While there’s no absolute cure for addiction, recovery is possible through medical and psychological intervention. The first step in addiction recovery is understanding what it is and how it starts.
What is addiction?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, addiction is a complex brain disease defined by compulsive substance use or behaviors that continue despite the adverse effects on the person’s health and overall life. Addiction subverts the way the brain registers pleasure and corrupts normal brain functions like learning and motivation to compel further substance use. Eventually, the brain builds tolerance to substances or the pleasure derived from certain activities, requiring higher doses or intensified activities to achieve the same result.
How does addiction start?
Addiction starts with the nucleus accumbens, also known as the brain’s pleasure center. When someone engages in a pleasurable activity, whether it’s a drug, sexual encounter, or even a delicious meal, the nucleus accumbens releases dopamine, a so-called “happy chemical” that acts as a reward and motivation to repeat the behavior. Alcohol and drugs offer a shortcut to that reward system, flooding the brain with dopamine and creating a conditioned response that can lead to addiction. Continued exposure to such substances will result in a buildup of tolerance, which means a person will need larger amounts of the substance to feel the same effects. As this tolerance grows, the body will depend on the substance and develop withdrawal symptoms without it.
How does addiction manifest?
Not everyone who drinks alcohol, takes drugs, or gambles becomes addicted, although there are certain risk factors that make some people more susceptible to addiction. These factors include genetics, mental disorders, and high-stress lifestyles. Likewise, some people are able to try a dangerous drug once and not feel compelled to try it again, while others will try it once and swiftly devolve into an addiction cycle: wanting it, needing it, and then depending on it to function.
What are the signs of addiction?
Sometimes the signs of addiction are obvious, such as frequent heavy drinking or drug abuse. But in many cases, the symptoms are subtle and can be disguised quite well. If you think you or someone you love might be suffering from addiction, here are some signs to look for:
- Strong urge or craving to use a particular substance (or engage in a certain behavior)
- Using a particular substance more often than in the past, and an inability to stop
- Displaying withdrawal symptoms (extreme sickness) when not using the substance
- Needing to use more of the substance to achieve the same effect
- Lying to friends, family, and colleagues about the extent of the substance use
- Negative effects on social life, home life, work, and even leisure activities
Addiction recovery at Alvarado Parkway Institute
Addiction is a serious disease that can affect anyone, but treatment is available. At Alvarado Parkway Institute, we offer comprehensive, customized inpatient and outpatient recovery programs that help patients get sober and stay sober. For more information on our programs and services, call our 24-hour referral and crisis line at 619-667-6125 today.
