Is drug addiction a disease?

By | March 15, 2010

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease which influences the brain and leads to uncontrollable drug seeking and use regardless of harmful consequences.

How is addiction a disease?
Addiction is generally regarded as a brain disease, because drugs alters the brain in both structure and in function. It is a fact that in many people, the early decision to take drugs is voluntary. As the time passes, drug abuse can cause transitions to the brain which deteriorate a person’s self control and capability to make healthy decisions, while transmitting excessive impulses to take drugs.

What is its course?
Drug addiction is regarded as a chronic, relapsing disease similar to diabetes, asthma, or heart disease and it can be treated successfully. Treatment makes people to prevent addiction’s strong disturbing effects and get back control of their lives. Similar to other chronic diseases, relapses are not exceptional. But relapse does not indicate failure instead it signifies that treatment must be restored or adjusted to help the addict to completely recover.


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