What Classifies a Drug Or Alcohol Addiction?

A drug or alcohol addiction is a complex disorder involving a person's excessive use of substances. The individual may spend a lot of time obtaining, using, and abusing substances. They may use drugs to escape from the stresses of life or as a coping mechanism for relationship issues. Whether it is alcohol or drugs, they take risks with their use and continue to abuse them, adding to their physical problems. Substance abusers build up a tolerance to the drugs, meaning that they need larger amounts to achieve the same effect.

Disease

Many factors are involved in determining addiction risk. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), half of addiction risk is due to genetics, with brain chemistry and structure also playing a role. Genetic abnormalities and a family history of addiction are also risk factors. While these factors cannot predict whether or not an individual will be addicted to alcohol or drugs, they do increase the likelihood.

Once a person begins using drugs or alcohol, the brain changes to compensate for this. The brain becomes accustomed to the chemicals released by the substance and responds negatively to the absence of the substance. As a result, the person needs increasing amounts of the substance in order to feel normal. This process leads to intense cravings for the substance and a decrease in interest in normal activities. Ultimately, a person suffering from a drug o

r alcohol addiction is unlikely to be cured by therapy alone.

Mental illness

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDDA), substance use disorders are brain disorders characterized by persistent, often relapsing behaviors. These disorders include depression, eating disorders, and addictive behaviors. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) tracks statistics on mental illness, including addiction. The association estimates that 1 in 5 U.S. adults suffers from mental illness, and the number is growing, especially among adolescents.

In some cases, a person may choose to use drugs and alcohol to escape painful feelings. This can lead to an unhealthy relationship or conflict, and even legal and money problems. Additionally, addiction can alter the brain structure and can interfere with the functioning of nerve cells. Several studies have shown that people with addictions are more likely to drive while impaired, commit crimes, and even commit suicide. While the disease can be treated, there are still risks associated with addiction.

Recurrence

Often, it takes several weeks or months before a person's substance abuse problem recurs. Relapse is the result of failure to manage emotions in a healthy way. Some underlying issues may be so deep that a person will deny they have a problem or neglect their own needs. If you know you're at risk for relapse, you can plan ahead and correct any negative mindset before it sets in.

There are several triggers for relapses. The environment that triggered the substance use can be a factor. Many people find that returning to places and situations that triggered their drug or alcohol use can trigger relapse. A person may use drugs or alcohol to celebrate positive events or to deal with stress. Whatever the triggers are, it's important to stay sober in order to avoid relapsing.

Environmental factors

Drug or alcohol addiction is a common disease and affects 23.2 million people in the US alone. Only 10% of these individuals receive treatment for their problem. Addiction affects people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Environmental factors may play a role in an individual's addiction risk, but there are also many protective factors. One of these is the easy access to drugs and alcohol. Peer and community influence can also play a role in drug use. In addition, some people are genetically predisposed to becoming addicted.

In addition to genetics, environmental factors may contribute to a person's risk of developing an addiction. Poor or inappropriate parenting is known to increase the risk of addiction. In addition, a child raised by authoritative parents shows less affection and is likely to use drugs. Other factors may be present in the home, including a family history of substance use, and the environment in which a person lives. This type of environment is particularly dangerous for those at risk of developing addiction, since it can affect the way the brain processes drugs.

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