{"id":2166,"date":"2022-10-25T13:35:39","date_gmt":"2022-10-25T13:35:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arisetc.com\/?page_id=2166"},"modified":"2024-01-18T15:07:31","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T15:07:31","slug":"the-disease-model-of-addiction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/arisetc.com\/the-disease-model-of-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"The Disease Model of Addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/span>Is Addiction a Disease?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Prior to the 1950s, many people viewed addiction as a choice. However, the idea that addiction is a choice is not only stigmatizing, but it is also inaccurate. Most people who struggle with addiction did not choose to be in the positions their addictions can lead them to, most even make multiple honest attempts at controlling or stopping their drug use, but they end up hooked anyway.<\/p>\n

In 1956, the American Medical Association (AMA)<\/a> labeled alcoholism as an illness or disease. Then, by 1987, the AMA and other organizations classified addiction as a disease, as well. However, the medical field doesn\u2019t diagnose people with addiction, they diagnose them with a \u201csubstance use disorder.\u201d<\/p>\n

But what is a disease, in the first place? A disease is a sickness, illness, or medical condition that has unique signs or symptoms, affecting one or more body systems. Diseases also have disease-specific risk factors related to the environment, medical history, biology, genetics, and life experiences.<\/p>\n

Addiction has many signs and symptoms that affect the physical and mental health of the person suffering. People who struggle with addiction commonly share similar risk factors, as well. As a result, it makes sense to characterize addiction as a disease.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, most diseases, including addiction, have effective treatments that reduce and even eliminate symptoms.<\/p>\n

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<\/span><\/span>What is the Brain Disease Model of Addiction?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The brain disease model of addiction is a widely-accepted theory that addiction is a treatable disease. It considers addiction to be a brain disease characterized by chronic, relapsing substance abuse that results from the prolonged effects of drugs on the brain. This model was quickly adopted by many addiction treatment centers<\/a> and has influenced a multitude of substance abuse treatment therapies<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to the brain disease model theory, addiction is characterized by altered brain structure and cognitive functioning which causes people to get addicted to substances and exhibit hazardous substance abuse patterns.<\/p>\n

Viewing addiction as a disease sparks hope that there are effective treatments and is also much less stigmatizing than viewing addiction as a choice or a moral failing.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>Understanding the Three Stages in the Brain Disease Model of Addiction<\/span><\/h2>\n

In the brain disease model of addiction, addiction is described as a repetitive cycle with three stages, each of which affects specific areas within the brain. The three stages are:<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>1. Binge\/Intoxication<\/span><\/h3>\n

Binge\/intoxication is the stage during which a person uses drugs or alcohol and experiences rewarding or pleasurable effects. These effects occur as a result of excess neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which produce feelings of being \u201chigh\u201d or intoxicated.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>2. Withdrawal\/Negative Affect<\/span><\/h3>\n

Withdrawal\/negative affect is the stage during which a person experiences physical withdrawal symptoms or a negative emotional state when the effects of the substance wear off or when they try to stop using the substance. Withdrawal symptoms can be so severe that people continue abusing substances to get relief, falling into a vicious cycle of drug abuse.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>3. Preoccupation\/Anticipation<\/span><\/h3>\n

Preoccupation\/anticipation is the stage during which a person craves or begins seeking out substances again after a period of abstinence. This stage can begin hours, days, or even months after the last time the person used substances depending on their situation. The preoccupation\/anticipation stage is characterized by reduced impulse control and compulsive drug use.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>Areas of the Brain Affected by Substance Abuse and Addiction<\/span><\/h2>\n

The areas of the brain impacted by each stage of the addiction cycle are:<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>Basal Ganglia<\/span><\/h3>\n

The basal ganglia is the region of the brain affected during the binge\/intoxication stage. This area of the brain is also known as the \u201creward circuit\u201d because it is responsible for reward and habitual behaviors. Drugs produce extra feel-good neurotransmitters which excite this circuit in the brain. Since feelings of euphoria are produced, your brain sees this as a good thing, and it wants to get pleasure from the drug again.<\/p>\n

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<\/span><\/span>Extended Amygdala<\/span><\/h3>\n

The extended amygdala is the region of the brain that is involved with stress, anxiety, irritability, and discomfort. After repetitive, long-term drug use, the extended amygdala becomes increasingly sensitive to the absence of the drug the person has been using. Without the excess neurotransmitters and stimulation, nerve cells begin acting in an over-excited state resulting in symptoms of withdrawal. As a result, the extended amygdala brain area is involved in the withdrawal\/negative affect stage of addiction.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>Prefrontal Cortex<\/span><\/h3>\n

The prefrontal cortex is the area of the brain responsible for the preoccupation\/anticipation stage of addiction. It is involved in executive functioning and decision-making. When the prefrontal cortex is affected by substance abuse, people struggling with addiction may be unable to make wise decisions about their drug use because their brain compels them to use drugs.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>Diseases Have Risk Factors, so What are the Risk Factors for Addiction?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Addiction has identifiable symptoms and impacts the structure and function of the brain, qualifying it as a disease. However, another reason addiction is so widely accepted as a brain disease is that there are various genetic, environmental, and social factors that increase the risk of addiction.<\/p>\n

The most common risk factors for addiction include:<\/p>\n