FAQ
Is drug addiction really a disease?
Addiction is a complex disease that affects brain structure, function and behavior. All drugs of abuse including alcohol, nicotine and cannabis alter the brain’s structure at some level, including cellular and molecular, resulting in changes in function and behaviors even after long periods of abstinence. Like other chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, addiction is a chronic and relapsing disorder.
How can a person who is addicted get help to stop using drugs or drinking?
Treatment of addiction is multifaceted and no single treatment is appropriate for everyone. Treatment should include both medical and mental health services (as needed), including counseling, medications, relapse prevention skills, training, evaluation, and treatment. Co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression and ongoing follow up care such as recovery oriented support groups.
How quickly can someone become addicted to a drug?
Multiple factors contribute to the development of addiction. The type of drug used and the amount and duration of use of a substance required to develop an addiction, varies from person to person. The development of an addiction is inextricably linked to multiple factors such as genetics and family history of substance use, emotional and physical trauma, other mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, age of first use of a substance and means of administration such as smoking, snorting taking a pill, or using a substance intravenously.
How can medication be helpful in treating addiction when a person is addicted to a substance?
Medication can be a very important element of treatment for many individuals battling addiction. There are currently a number of evidence-based medications that can be effective components of a comprehensive treatment approach. For example, Buprenorphine (Suboxone), Methadone, and Naltrexone are well studied and established treatments for individuals addicted to opiate pain medications or heroin. Medications such as acamprosate, naltrexone and disulfiram have been approved for treating alcohol dependence and can be helpful in reducing cravings for alcohol that lead to relapse, reduce heavy drinking and help extend complete abstinence from alcohol
Is drug addiction really a disease?
Addiction is a complex disease that affects brain structure, function and behavior. All drugs of abuse including alcohol, nicotine and cannabis alter the brain’s structure at some level, including cellular and molecular, resulting in changes in function and behaviors even after long periods of abstinence. Like other chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, addiction is a chronic and relapsing disorder.
How can a person who is addicted get help to stop using drugs or drinking?
Treatment of addiction is multifaceted and no single treatment is appropriate for everyone. Treatment should include both medical and mental health services (as needed), including counseling, medications, relapse prevention skills, training, evaluation, and treatment. Co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression and ongoing follow up care such as recovery oriented support groups.
How quickly can someone become addicted to a drug?
Multiple factors contribute to the development of addiction. The type of drug used and the amount and duration of use of a substance required to develop an addiction, varies from person to person. The development of an addiction is inextricably linked to multiple factors such as genetics and family history of substance use, emotional and physical trauma, other mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, age of first use of a substance and means of administration such as smoking, snorting taking a pill, or using a substance intravenously.
How can medication be helpful in treating addiction when a person is addicted to a substance?
Medication can be a very important element of treatment for many individuals battling addiction. There are currently a number of evidence-based medications that can be effective components of a comprehensive treatment approach. For example, Buprenorphine (Suboxone), Methadone, and Naltrexone are well studied and established treatments for individuals addicted to opiate pain medications or heroin. Medications such as acamprosate, naltrexone and disulfiram have been approved for treating alcohol dependence and can be helpful in reducing cravings for alcohol that lead to relapse, reduce heavy drinking and help extend complete abstinence from alcohol
