Disease of Addiction
Addiction and the Brain
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ike 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.
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: November 22, 2024
Signs of Addiction
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), symptoms of a substance use disorder may include:
- A desire or unsuccessful attempts to control, decrease, or stop substance use.
- Using more of the substance or for longer than intended.
- Continued substance use despite the interpersonal problems it causes or exacerbates.
- Cravings to use the substance.
- Excessive time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from the substance.
- Ongoing need to increase use to achieve same effect or the same amount no longer produces the same effects. This is called tolerance.
- Recurrent use of substance in risky situations.
- Continued use of the substance despite the problems with physical and mental health that it has caused or worsened.
- Stopping or decreasing important activities because of substance use.
- Substance use interferes with fulfilling obligations at home, work, or school.
- Withdrawal symptoms surface if substance use is stopped or is drastically reduced.
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.
Our Approach to Addiction Treatment
At American Addiction Centers (AAC), we approach every individual as a whole person who is full of unique strengths and potential but may be facing multiple challenges. Thus, every treatment plan is unique to that individual.
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.
Types of Treatment
Depending on the facility, services available at AAC treatment centers may include individual psychotherapy, group therapy, medication for addiction treatment, family therapy, alternative therapies, and holistic care.
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.
