Addiction
Addiction is defined as a chronic brain disease that is characterized by compulsive substance use or engagement in certain behaviors despite harmful consequences. It affects the brain's reward system, leading to changes in motivation and behavior.
Key characteristics of addiction:
Inability to limit or stop substance use or behavior.
Craving: A strong desire or need for the substance or activity.
Continued use: Ongoing Loss of controlling use despite awareness of harm or negative effects.
Tolerance: A need for increasing amounts of the substance or frequency of behavior to achieve
the same effect.
Withdrawal symptoms: Physical or psychological reactions when trying to stop the substance use or activity.
Definition and Nature:
Drug addiction is described as a chronically relapsing disorder characterized by a compulsion
to seek and consume drugs, loss of control over intake, and the emergence of negative
emotional states when access to the drug is restricted.
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. (2024).What is Addiction? Why Is Addiction Considered a Brain Disease? Retrieved from: bit.ly/4gbKyuB
Koob, G. F., Volkow, N. D. (2010). Neural Circuitry of Addiction. Neuropsychopharmacology. Nature.com. Retrieved from: Nature.https://tinyurl.com/hsjem3dh