American Addiction Centers

Disease of Addiction

American Addiction Centers (AAC) recognizes that addiction — whether involving alcohol, prescription drugs, illicit drugs, or over-the-counter drugs — is a disease.
Evidence-Based Care
Expert Staff

Addiction and the Brain

Just like diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions, addiction is an illness that requires treatment. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), “addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry.”

Multiple areas of the brain are involved in the neurobiology of addiction. Addiction especially impacts the neurotransmission, how parts of the brain “talk” to one another,  and function of the brain’s reward system, also known as the mesolimbic dopamine pathway.

Human-brain

What is the Disease of Addiction?

Thomas W. Doub, PHd, CHC explains why addiction is a chronic disease, how it impacts the brain, and options for managing and treating this disease.

Reviewed by Dr. Lawrence Weinstein | Last updated: June 24, 2019

 

Effects of Addiction

The disease of addiction can impact an individual not only on a biological level but also on psychological, social, and spiritual levels.

 

 

Risk Factors for Addiction

There are many factors that can increase an individual’s risk of developing an addiction, including their genetics, environment, biology, psychology, age of first use, addictiveness of substance used, and frequency of substance use. Environmental risk factors may include family, culture, peers, social support (or lack thereof), trauma, stressors, toxins, and availability/accessibility of substances. Biological risk factors may include deficits in neurological function, inflammation from various causes, and other physical illnesses. Psychological risk factors may include thought patterns, cognitive and affective distortions, temperament, impulse control, and other mental illnesses.
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Our Approach to Addiction Treatment

At AAC, we approach every individual as a whole person who is full of unique strengths and potential but may be facing multiple challenges.

 


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Holistic Care

In addition to addiction treatment, we provide treatment for co-occurring mental illnesses and offer holistic care to promote physical, spiritual, social, and occupational well-being, thereby helping individuals overcome their struggles with addiction and live healthier, happier lives.

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Types of Treatment

Depending on the facility, treatments available at AAC facilities may include individual psychotherapy, group therapy, medication assisted treatment (MAT), family therapy, alternative therapies, and holistic care.

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Levels of Care

AAC offers several levels of care, including medical detox, residential treatment, intensive residential treatment, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, regular outpatient services, and sober living homes. Clients are referred to the appropriate level of care based on his or her individual needs as assessed through comprehensive evaluations at admission and throughout his or her participation in the program.

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