Category: FAQ’s about addiction

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Is Addiction Hereditary

Yes, addiction is hereditary. According to NCBI, both genetic and environmental variables contribute to the initiation of use of addictive agents and to the transition from use to addiction. Addictions are moderately to highly heritable. Family, adoption, and twin studies reveal that an individual’s risk tends to be proportional to the degree of genetic relationship to an addicted relative. An important view of the shifting balance in importance of genetic and environmental influences has been obtained from the developmental perspective.

I hope this helps you understand if addiction is hereditary.

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A Cure for Addiction

At Today You Can, the belief is that there is no permanent cure for addiction. Drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives. We do recover, however, alcoholics and addicts need to remain vigilant because they are only one slip from returning to active addiction.

I hope this helped you understand if there is a cure for addiction.

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The Difference Between Addiction & Dependence

While these words are very similar.  There are some differences between them.  When referring to dependence, the focus lays on a physical dependence on a substance.   This is characterized by the symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal.  According to the Addiction Center, it is possible to have a physical dependence without being addicted.  However, addiction is typically right around the corner.  With that being said, addiction is characterized by a change in behavior that is caused by the biochemical changes that occur in the brain after continued substance abuse.  Substance use becomes the main priority of the addict, regardless of the harm they may cause to themselves or others. An addiction causes people to act irrationally when they don’t have the substance they are addicted to in their system.

I hope this helps you understand the difference between addiction and dependence.

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The Difference Between Addiction & Obsession

Here, we will consider the definition of “addiction”, and compare it to the criteria used for the definition of “obsession”.  According to the American Psychological Association, addiction can be defined as a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. People with addiction (severe substance use disorder) have an intense focus on using a certain substance(s), such as alcohol or drugs, to the point that it takes over their life. They keep using alcohol or a drug even when they know it will cause problems.

The DSM-5 uses two criteria to define obsessions.  First, recurrent and persistent thoughts urges, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive, unwanted, and that in most individuals cause marked anxiety or distress.  And, second, the individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges, or images, or to neutralize them with some thought or action (i.e., by performing a compulsion).

I hope this helped you understand the difference between addiction & obsession.

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Where to Go if You Feel You Have an Issue With Addiction

At Today You Can, the suggestion would be to visit a health professional as soon as possible if you feel you have an issue with addiction.  This is important because discontinuing a drug without the proper information can be very dangerous.  Once you are deemed to be safe, it might be a good idea to seek treatment.  The American Addiction Centers suggests that you begin searching for rehab or detox centers near you by conducting a search with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.   Be prepared to verify your income, whether you have any insurance and any need for financial support before you can enroll.  Free rehab centers and public assistance for rehab do exist. Exploring treatment avenues such as these is a good idea as it may reveal detox programs and other recovery options available to you at little or no cost. There are also opportunities to defray the cost of treatment or to have it covered by another entity.

I hope this helped you understand where to go if you feel you have an issue with addiction.

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Is Addiction a Choice

Today You Can does not believe addiction is a choice.  According to Mental Health First Aid, science has confirmed that addiction is a chronic brain disease that can happen to anyone. Despite this, there is still a popular belief that addiction is the result of weak character or moral failing. Addiction is a disease that not only affects the physical body but also crushes the soul. “Feeding the disease” requires a preoccupation with obtaining and consuming substances.

I hope this helps you understand whether addiction is a choice. 

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How Does Addiction Happen

According to Psychology Today, The most popular theory of addiction is the disease model. The disease model explains that addiction has a biological origin that causes changes in the brain. This model also accounts for the heredity of addiction or genetic predisposition. Studies of twins who have been separated at birth show that they are likely to develop addictions, despite growing up in different home environments.

I hope this helped you understand how addiction happens. 

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Is Addiction a Disease

Today You Can advocates the disease model of addiction.  According to MentalHelp.net, The disease and biological theories of addiction are very similar. However, the disease model of addiction highlights the differences between people with the disease and those without it. In contrast, the biological model focuses on the genetic risk for developing the “disease” of addiction.  According to the disease model, addiction is a brain disease. It is characterized by altered brain structure and functioning. These brain abnormalities cause persons with this disease to become addicted to substances or activities, once exposure to these substances or activities occurs. This model considers addiction irreversible once acquired.

I hope this helped you understand if addiction is a disease.

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What Addiction Means

According to ARCR, the Oxford English Dictionary traces the term addiction to Roman law, under which addiction was a “formal giving over by sentence of the court; hence, a dedication of a person to a master.” This notion of relinquishment of control by the addicted person is the central feature of many lay and professional definitions of the term. The study of addictive behavior crosses several disciplines, including, among others, behavioral neuroscience, epidemiology, genetics, molecular biology, pharmacology, psychology, psychiatry, and sociology.

I hope this helped you understand what addiction means.  

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What is the Worst Addiction

Today You Can does not consider any addiction to be “better” or “worse” than any other. With that being said, however, the American Addiction Centers report that certain drugs all increase pleasure when abused and make chemical changes in the brain to do so. Most substances of abuse interact with the production, absorption, or pathways related to the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is closely tied to how a person feels pleasure and experiences reward. Mood regulation, memory, willpower, and the decision-making processes are also impacted by drug abuse. These changes become more fixed with regular use as a drug dependency is formed. Drugs that are addictive cause difficult withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making it hard to stop taking them. Some of the hardest drugs to quit are heroin, prescription pain killers, cocaine, methamphetamine, crystal meth, benzodiazepines, and alcohol.

I hope this helped you understand what is the worst addiction.