Addiction is a complex issue that affects people from a varying range of
backgrounds, cultures, and upbringings — according to the
National Survey on Drug Use and Health
approximately 20.1 million Americans aged 12 or older has a substance use
disorder. To put that number into perspective,
nearly half of all U.S. adults
have a friend or loved one who’s battled drug addiction at one point in
their lives, further illustrating the depths of this national crisis.
Addictive behaviors cross educational divides and income levels, and can
have a
of those afflicted by the disease. But despite how common addiction has
become in modern society, experts have conflicting opinions as to how and
why these behaviors continue to wreak havoc on the lives of so many.
A disease by definition
Though some believe it to be a choice, addiction is
traditionally defined
as “a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive
drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.” Addiction is regarded
as a brain disease because substances like drugs and alcohol have the power
to alter a person’s brain chemistry. Think of it like heart disease: Both
afflictions prevent your organs from performing their core functions and
disrupt the processes that keep your system running as it should.
How addiction affects the brain
The way this process works comes down to the pleasure centers in our
brains. When basic needs — like hunger or thirst — are met, our brains
release a specific mix of pleasurable chemicals. Many addictive substances
have a similar effect; the use of these substances causes the release of a high level of
chemicals associated with satisfaction and reward. From that point, it’s
not hard for this destructive behavior to fall into a pattern. As these
chemicals are released time and time again from consistent use of these
addictive substances, the brain systems related to reward, motivation, and
memory begin to change. Addicted individuals will start to crave their
substance of choice — whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or behaviors such as
gambling
— and will find it hard to cope without their fix.
Who is at risk?
But there are other factors that can influence how addiction affects
certain individuals, including when a person uses a drug or substance for
the first time. Research shows that the earlier a person begins to
consistently use drugs or alcohol, the
more likely they are to develop serious problems later on. The prefrontal cortex, otherwise known as the
decision-making portion of the brain, develops during adolescence and through the mid-20’s. When teens start
abusing substances during these formative years, they run the risk of not
just altering their brain chemistry in the short-term; they can set
themselves up for long-term addiction.
Like with other chronic conditions, addiction is the result of several
biological, behavioral, and environmental factors. Genetic risks also play a large role in the likelihood that a person will
develop addictive tendencies. In fact, studies have shown that children of
parents with addiction problems are four times
more likely than their peers
to adopt addictive disorders at some point during their lives.
Breaking the habit
These changes in brain chemistry are often the long-lasting results of
years of substance abuse, and it can take time to break the habits of
destructive behaviors. While the consequences of addiction are serious,
they can be reversed with effective and persistent action.
If you or a loved one is experiencing signs of substance abuse, consult
your doctor or a licensed professional to discuss possible treatment
options. Breaking an addiction is no easy task, but with the right approach
and a dedicated support system, it can be done.
Independence Blue Cross Foundation, through its Supporting Treatment and Overdose Prevention (STOP)
initiative, is allocating resources and advancing evidence-based research to
achieve scalable impact and replication of solutions to prevent and
treat opioid abuse and addiction.