From the Center for Mental Health: Dealing with and understanding addiction

Addiction is a chronic progressive illness that is often times fatal if left untreated. It is a brain disease. The brain has been fundamentally changed, conditioned and rewired.

Addiction is found in the amygdala which is located in the limbic system of the brain. The amygdala is essentially the "Go! Go! Go!" part of our brain. It is the primitive part of our brain where the "fight or flight" response is found.

Our instincts and things that are inherent to us are located in the amygdala. It is the pleasure center or reward system of our brain where neurotransmitters are released giving us a sense of pleasure. Some of these pleasures identified are love, sex and eating.

Drugs and alcohol trigger an influx of pleasure chemicals in the brain to be released. These neurotransmitters fit into certain cell receptors in our brain, causing a burst of pleasure felt throughout the body. This is the reinforcing factor that plays a role in one's continued use of drugs and alcohol.The brain then becomes conditioned, causing intense thoughts and cravings, resulting in continued use despite serious consequences.

The pre-frontal cortex is located on top of the amygdala. This is the rational part of our brain which is responsible for judgment and decision making. The pre-frontal cortex is the "Stop! Stop! Stop!" part of our brain that keeps us from reacting on instinct; keeping us safe and more importantly alive. This is considered to be the driver's seat of our brain.

With addiction, this part of the brain has been hijacked and is no longer in control. The alcoholic or addict is no longer rational and good judgment is "out the window." Addiction is behaviorally symptomatic. The alcoholic or addict begins to display dangerous, irresponsible and destructive behavior. Their lives become chaotic and unmanageable losing loved ones, friends, jobs, and stability.

Over the years, the face of alcoholics and drug addicts has been one of inaccuracy and stereotype. People oftentimes picture the homeless man on the street with a bottle in a brown paper bag. This idea is entirely false and misleading.

Those who struggle with homelessness and addiction account for only one-third of those with substance use disorders. Addiction does not discriminate. It affects people of all demographics. It affects the poor, the rich, the laborer, the police officer, the lawyer, the doctor and many more. It destroys families and everything else in its path.

Loved ones and friends ask themselves, "Why don't they just stop?! Stop drinking and using drugs! It's simple!" To the alcoholic or addict it is not that simple as their brains have been forever changed. They will fight their addiction for the rest of their lives. It is not a matter of weak will or bad morals.

With that said, the brain has a remarkable ability to recover. It typically takes approximately two years for one's brain to recover and heal. After stopping their use, the alcoholic or addict can experience withdrawal which can last a few days to a week.

Even then, one can experience what is called protracted withdrawal syndrome. The user can experience anhedonia, agitation, insomnia, anxiety and depression. A rebound phenomenon may also occur. People will experience uncomfortable symptoms that are more intense than what was originally being covered by the use of drugs.

For instance somebody who is addicted to benzodiazepines will experience increased anxiety, panic attacks and muscle twitches. With methamphetamine addiction, the user can experience depression, impotence, low libido and increased sleepiness. This can last a few months to a year.

Addiction costs the United States billions of dollars every year. It impacts every level of society directly or indirectly.

There are varying factors that play a role in causing addiction. Addiction is genetic; however, not everyone who has family members with the disease will get it.

Just as everybody with a cancer gene will not develop cancer, we know that gender, trauma, accessibility, environment, and genetics play a role in its etiology. Risk factors for the disease include mental illness, attitudes/beliefs about substances, lack of family involvement, peer pressure, using highly addictive drugs, cultural acceptance, and trauma.

There are a multitude of treatment options for people with varying degrees of addiction severity. The clinician looks at every aspect of a person’s life including physical health, mental health, emotional health and spiritual health. Therapists look at a person, essentially, as a whole pie.

The entire person needs to be treated — the entire pie — rather than specific areas of a person — pieces of the pie. Every facet of the person and their life needs to be treated simultaneously in order for a person to fully recover.

Depending on the severity of the person’s addiction, there are different levels that range from detoxification, education, outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment and aftercare.

Generally, these levels of treatment are combined with some sort of self-help group including AA or NA. There is a better recovery rate when psychotherapy and pharmaceuticals are combined.

These drugs include Naltrexone, Campral, Antabuse, Vivitrol, Subutex and Suboxone. They help to reduce cravings and aid the brain during the healing process.

Addiction affects the entire family system. As a result, it is essential that friends and loved ones are treated due to possible trauma and co-dependency. The family is unsure of how to react around their loved one once they become sober. They have become used to avoiding the subject or walking on eggshells.

Guilt and shame do nothing to help the alcoholic or addict recover. We would not have alcoholics or addicts if these things were effective. In addition, there most likely was a period of time where the family may have also been in denial. Al-Anon, Al-ateen, and CODA have been helpful for friends and family, learning to cope with their loved one's addiction and recovery.

The addict or alcoholic will struggle with this "beast" of a disease for the rest of their lives. There is no cure. The cravings can lessen over time and the disease can go into remission with treatment.

Society can impact the alcoholic or addict by educating themselves on the disease concept of addiction and eliminating the traditional stereotype. We have come a long way in the identification, intervention, and treatment of addiction. However, we still have a long way to go.