Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite the consequences to the individual who is addicted and to those that are around him or her. Alt-hough the decision to take drugs are voluntary for most people, the brain changes that occur over time will challenge the addicted person’s self control and hamper his or her ability to resist taking drugs.
Fortunately, treatments are available to help people counter their addiction’s powerful disruptive effects. Research found out that the best way to ensure the success for most patients is to combine addiction treatment medications with behavorial therapy. Treatment approaches that are tailored to each patient’s drug abuse patterns and any co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and social problems can lead to sustained recovery and a life without drug abuse.
Similar to other chronic, relapsing diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, drug addiction can be managed successfully. And as with other chronic diseases, it is not uncommon for a person to relapse and begin abusing drugs again. Relapse, however, does not signal treatment failure—rather, it indicates that treatment should be reinstated or adjusted or that an alternative treatment is needed to help the individual regain control and recover.
What is addiction?
Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite the consequences to the individual who is addicted and to those that are around him or her. Alt-hough the decision to take drugs are voluntary for most people, the brain changes that occur over time will challenge the addicted person’s self control and hamper his or her ability to resist taking drugs.
Fortunately, treatments are available to help people counter their addiction’s powerful disruptive effects. Research found out that the best way to ensure the success for most patients is to combine addiction treatment