Addiction
According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. Addiction doesn’t happen from having a lack of willpower or as a result of making bad decisions. Your brain chemistry changes with addiction.
People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. Addiction can be compared to other diseases, such as heart disease in the same way that both disrupt the normal, healthy functioning of an organ in the body, both have serious harmful effects, and both are, in many cases, preventable and treatable. If left untreated, they can last a lifetime and may lead to death.
Prevention efforts and treatment approaches for addiction are generally as successful as those for other chronic diseases.
Addiction is a disease that causes two types of dependence:
Physical dependence
Physical dependence is the result of physical changes in the brain through the use of an addictive substance, which produces symptoms of withdrawal in the absence of that substance.
Psychological dependence
Psychological dependence is the result of prolonged use of an addictive drug, causing an emotional need or compulsion to continue using it.
