{"id":4145,"date":"2024-03-12T07:48:09","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T06:48:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amatesting.uk\/twilightrecoverycenter\/understanding-addiction\/"},"modified":"2024-03-12T07:48:09","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T06:48:09","slug":"understanding-addiction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amatesting.uk\/twilightrecoverycenter\/understanding-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"UNDERSTANDING ADDICTION AS A DISEASE"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><span><\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>Many people think that addiction is a person\u2019s choice or even worse, the result of their lack of self-control. This is not only incorrect but can also be very damaging to those who are struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) and to their loved ones. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please continue reading.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the-disease-of-addiction-by-definition\"><\/span>THE DISEASE OF ADDICTION BY DEFINITION<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Addiction is a disease. There is no question about it. It has even been included in the&nbsp;<em>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders<\/em>&nbsp;(DSM). The DSM is the guidebook for mental disorders used by all healthcare professionals in the United States as well as in many other parts of the world.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<em>Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience<\/em>\u00a0explains that\u00a0<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3692718\/\"  target=\"_blank\">addiction is a disease<\/a>. In fact, it is a mental health disorder. (SUD) meets all the criteria for an illness stipulated by the<em>\u00a0Oxford English Dictionary<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0<em>Stedman\u2019s Medical Dictionary<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"addiction-and-its-effects\"><\/span>ADDICTION AND ITS EFFECTS<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The&nbsp;<em>National Institute on Drug Abuse&nbsp;<\/em>defines&nbsp;<a  href=\"https:\/\/nida.nih.gov\/publications\/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction\/drug-misuse-addiction\"  target=\"_blank\">addiction<\/a>&nbsp;as a chronic and relapsing disorder that is characterized by an incessant need to use drugs no matter the consequences. Although addiction can be different for everyone, it possesses clinically relevant symptoms, anatomical alterations, and several vulnerability factors. There are genetic, biological, and environmental components that could put someone at a higher risk of suffering from addiction.<\/p>\n<p>Just like many other diseases, addiction can have harmful effects on mental and physical health. However, it can be preventable and treatable. If left untreated, it may have adverse consequences and can even lead to death. That is why it is so important to be well-informed and willing to take action against this illness.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"science-of-addiction\"><\/span>SCIENCE OF ADDICTION<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The\u00a0<em>National Institute on Drug Abuse\u00a0<\/em>conducted\u00a0<a  href=\"https:\/\/nida.nih.gov\/publications\/drugfacts\/understanding-drug-use-addiction\"  target=\"_blank\">research<\/a>\u00a0to understand the use of drugs and how people become addicted. They found that repeated use of substances can lead to brain changes in the areas that deal with self-control and urge resistance. Moreover, these brain changes can be persistent and remain for a long time after the person has recovered. This is why addiction is considered a relapsing disease.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"drugs-and-the-brain\"><\/span>DRUGS AND THE BRAIN<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The majority of drugs affect the reward pathways of the brain. This fills the brain with dopamine and causes high levels of euphoria. Drugs tell your brain that what a person is doing is pleasurable and good, even when the behaviors are harmful. This can make a person repeatedly intake substances and lead them to substance use disorders.<\/p>\n<p>Once the use of drugs is continued, the brain adapts by telling the cells to no longer respond in the same way. This is how tolerance is built. The person will need more of the substance each time to obtain the desired \u201chigh.\u201d The adaptation that the reward pathways go through makes it difficult for people to obtain pleasure from lower doses of the substance as well as the activities they used to enjoy.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"drugs-do-not-define-who-you-are\"><\/span>DRUGS DO NOT DEFINE WHO YOU ARE<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Long-term use of drugs can also cause changes in other areas of the brain. These changes can affect not only pleasure and happiness but many other functions. Issues with decision-making, stress management, judgment, learning, behavior, mood, impulse control, and perception are just a few of the damaging effects that drugs can have on people\u2019s brains and their life. Who someone is when using drugs is not the real them. Drugs affect parts of the brain that deal with how they react to and perceive the world. This is a disease and does not define the person struggling with SUD.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"illness-or-choice\"><\/span>ILLNESS OR CHOICE<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>After all the information above, it would be irresponsible to say that addiction is a choice. SUD is clearly a chronic brain disease. Although some people may erroneously consider it a choice, and people may voluntarily choose to take these substances, no one chooses to become addicted. The stigma around addiction needs to end. As humans, we can all make good and bad decisions. Illnesses are not decisions or choices. They can happen to any of us, no matter the choices we make.<\/p>\n<p>Addiction has nothing to do with a lack of morals, self-control, or willpower. As previously mentioned, the human brain will make it very difficult to quit. No one should feel guilty about something they are unable to control. Quitting and changing one\u2019s lifestyle can take more than the intention and the will to do so. However, these two things are the very first steps in order to heal from SUD. Addiction can affect people\u2019s well-being in many different ways, but anyone can overcome this and we\u2019re here to\u00a0<a  href=\"https:\/\/twilightrecoverycenter.com\/addiction-as-a-disease-of-the-soul\/\">help<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"healing-from-addiction\"><\/span>HEALING FROM ADDICTION<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Although suffering from SUD is not a choice, working towards healing can be. Accepting that you or someone you love is struggling with this debilitating disease is often one of the most difficult steps. Understanding that it is a disease and not a choice is crucial. You must not blame yourself or others. Drugs do not define who you are or decide what your future will be like. Only you can do that. To heal, you must not only accept what you are going through but be compassionate and understanding with yourself.<\/p>\n<p>Understand what has led you here and what you can do to change that outcome. If you are seeking to get better, that speaks more about you than the disease you\u2019re going through. Quitting can be difficult and take a toll on your body. That is why it\u2019s important to have a dedicated and&nbsp;<a  href=\"https:\/\/twilightrecoverycenter.com\/treatment-services\/detoxification\/\">experienced team<\/a>&nbsp;with you every step of the way. We are here and we believe in you.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Addiction is not a choice, it\u2019s a disease. Who you are under the weight of this illness is not who you are when sober. Although struggling with substance use disorder is not a decision, working toward healing can be. Understanding what has led you here and what you can do to change that outcome is crucial. That is why a dedicated and experienced team can make a world of difference.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>At Twilight Recovery Center, we treat each individual patient with care, dedication, patience, and compassion. We offer affordable luxury in a beautiful and comfortable atmosphere. Our highly trained staff will guide you through addiction therapy and rehabilitation techniques. You will receive an individualized assessment and together we can choose the best treatment program and aftercare plan for your specific, unique needs. Call (888) 414-8183 to begin your healing journey today.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many people think that addiction is a person\u2019s choice or even worse, the result of their lack of self-control. This [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1462,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Understanding Addiction | Twilight Recovery Center<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Understanding hat Addiction is a disease, not a choice. 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