Understanding Addiction

Understanding Addiction

While many have tried to identify a singular reason for the people who are addicted to one substance or another, the reality is that there are many factors that underlie an individual's addiction to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.  It is sometimes assumed that the addict has no willpower or lacks moral principles.  

Why can't they JUST SAY NO?  It is helpful to understand the difference between a habit of using, and addiction to substances.  A drug habit is repeated substance use through choice, while addiction is use that is not only compulsive, but physically necessary just to achieve a normal level of functioning. 

If the addicted could simply choose to change their using behavior and stop indulging their compulsion to use mood altering substances, they would.  The reality is that the path to sustained recovery is a complex process that far exceeds good intentions. 

Addiction can be described as a constant need to compulsorily seek any substance, whether a mood-altering drug, alcohol, or tobacco (and quite often a combination thereof), fully knowing the destructive consequences of use to himself and to those around him.    Addiction and chronic substance use adversely impact employment, school performance, family stability, and social connectivity. 

Addiction depends upon a combination of various factors associated to the individual. Biological (such as genetic structure and gender) and environmental  (culture, peer pressure, family traditions) factors couple to create a unique and individual perspective, laying the foundation for a pattern of decision-making that is not only the beginning point of a life of addiction, but is also the necessary beginning point for recovery from addiction.

Addiction, like any other chronic disease, can be successfully managed.  After an initial detoxification treatment episode, cognitive behavioral treatments can help the individual sustain sobriety through the development of conscious decision-making skills.  It is not just possible, it is a fact-the addict can live a healthy, addiction-free life!

Florida's drug treatment system includes a strong prevention component, and targets youth and families that are at the highest risk for substance abuse and addiction.  The comprehensive system of care throughout the state has demonstrated a positive impact upon the trends of use among youth, a factor that has encouraged investment in more and better ways to address the issue for people seeking drug rehab in Florida.  

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