Addiction has nothing to do with willpower. According to the latest definition of American specialists, it is a permanent brain disease that requires appropriate treatment, whether it is alcohol, drug or gambling addiction – reports AP.
Dr. Michael M. Miller of the American Society for Addiction Medicine says addiction is not just a question of bad behavior. She emphasizes that this is a chronic disease that requires long-term treatment, similar to diabetes and atherosclerosis.
According to the classical definition, addiction is an acquired strong need to perform an activity or take some substance. They are also defined as risky, out of control behavior.
Wikipedia states that psychological addiction is manifested by an increase in the drive associated with the search for an addictive drug, a decrease in tolerance to its effects (reduction of the pleasure effect), weakened will, obsession with taking and mental obsessions that recur even after many years of abstinence. There is also self-deception and physical exhaustion.
The new definition of American specialists emphasizes that addiction is a brain disorder, which is better to show both families of addicts and family doctors why relapses of this disease and treatment failures occur so often.
Explaining the nature of addiction has been made possible by advances in brain research over the past two decades. First of all, it is necessary to realize that this is a chronic disorder that occurs even after treatment has been discontinued – emphasizes Dr.Nora Volkow, Director of National Institute on Drug Abuse.
What is happening in the brain of addicts? Experts generally say that the links between emotions, thinking, and behavior are disrupted.
According to Dr. Volkow, it is enough for the functioning of the frontal cortex to be disrupted, because the emotional and cognitive spheres intertwine there. This part of the brain matured at the latest, which explains why it is so dangerous to experiment with stimulants during adolescence.
Some people are genetically more likely to develop addictions. But people who are not so inclined become addicted. It is enough for them to turn to stimulants or experiment with gambling frequently when they want to get rid of stresses that they cannot cope with.
In both cases, the brain’s reward system is disturbed, says Dr. Volkow. There is then an increase in the secretion of the brain’s neurotransmitter dopamine to respond to certain pleasurable behaviors, such as drinking alcohol, smoking or taking drugs.
This behavior gradually builds into the reward system and addiction develops as a result. And it becomes a compulsion even when it is no longer enjoyable.
Dr. Miller argues that it should not be inferred from this that there is nothing more to break out of this vicious circle. The sick person has to fight and heal himself – claims the American specialist.
It is only uncertain whether certain behaviors, such as sex addiction, overeating and gambling, can be considered addictive. There is no agreement even among specialists in this case.
More research is needed in this area, admits Dr. Miller.
Dr Volkow adds that new, more effective methods of treating addiction are being developed with the latest brain research. Instead of blocking the feeling of satisfaction or relief that the stimulant gives, as has been tried so far, it will be possible to strengthen the connections in the brain that help to get rid of the addiction.
Dr Miller adds that these connections in the brain make it easier and faster for some people to recover from addiction. New drugs or therapies should also help those who do not have such predispositions. (PAP)