This disease called Addiction, is like any other disease. It’s chronic and organic. The chronic part of this disease, is that it’s fatal. We know that with continued use, gets worse. While with increased use, this disease is fatal and is a high risk for overdosing leading to death.
The organic part of this disease is that it targets the brain, an organ. So this disease is accompanied by structural changes in organs and the tissue. We know what we know about addiction and the structural changes that leads to chronic addiction. According to the article with NIDA … “thanks to science, our views and our responses to addiction and other substance use disorders have changed dramatically.”(NIH, 2014).
The science of addiction is a regulatory dysfunction of neurotransmitters called dopamine. The effects of an addiction is that it is a common group of symptoms seen in each alcohol and drug addicts known to have the disease of dependence. Dependence is identified as having: loss of control, cravings, and persistent use despite adverse consequences. The dependence of addiction is cunning, baffling and powerful, addiction, but treated one day at a time for lasting recovery is the promise for every alcoholic or addict afflicted. There are several groundbreaking research’s and discoveries about the brain that has revolutionized our understanding of compulsive drug use, therefore enabling us to respond effectively to the problem.
Many alcoholics and addicts have been accused of selfishness, choosing their own needs and behaviors for a reward or pleasure, since this portion of the brain is targeted by alcohol, it has often been about “lack of moral fiber”. This impression of hedonistic (self-indulgent, pleasure seeking) behavior on the part of the addict has for a long time caused inappropriate judgment, bringing shame to the one who suffers with this disease. The family is very affected by the disease of addiction because the alcoholic or the addict will violate so many boundaries to get to his or her drug of choice.
Often, the addict/alcoholic casts aside job, family, health, marriage and their notion of a Higher Power to get to the top of their survival pyramid – their drug of choice. In addition, it sight is on the brain and its target, its organ. With that, it relapses. It remits to active addiction. All that is required is that they have the willingness to take the first steps.
Bibliography:
NIDA (2014). Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. Retrieved December 8, 2016, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction
Organic Disease. (n.d.) Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing. (2012). Retrieved February 3 2017 from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/organic+disease