Blog

Drugs and alcohol impact the physical body, brain and personal lifestyle in significant ways. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse1, nearly 23.5 million Americans abuse drugs or alcohol each year. Unfortunately, only a small number, around 11.2 percent, actually seek treatment for addiction. Even though an addiction cannot be cured, it is a treatable disease, says the National Institute on Drug Abuse2. Treatment provides the tools and information that you need to focus on your recovery goals and regain a healthy lifestyle.

Alcohol abuse is a problem that is easily overlooked due to the prevalence in adult society. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism1, 86.8 percent of adults will drink alcohol in their lifetime and 70.7 percent will drink alcohol at least once in a year. In any given month, roughly 24.6 individuals over 18 years old will binge drink and roughly 6.8 percent will drink heavily, reports the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism1. When you binge drink alcohol, it impacts your physical body and your brain.

The human brain controls the way that individuals act, think and interpret the world around them. When a loved one abuses drugs or alcohol, his or her brain changes. The University of Utah1 explains that substance abuse rewires the brain and changes its reward system. Essentially, the drug causes the brain the flood the system with pleasure or reward hormones like dopamine. Over time, individuals do not respond to the hormone when it is naturally produced and an addiction to the substance develops.

Is addiction a personal choice or is there an actual science behind it? Addiction is referred to as a disease. That is because there is a scientific process involved in becoming addicted to a drug or alcohol. It goes beyond just deciding whether you want to use or to stay sober. The neuroscience behind addiction makes having an option almost impossible. The choice comes in getting help to overcome the addiction and the struggle it takes to get there.

Some people can use drugs recreationally without ever becoming an abuser or addict. Conversely, others quickly become an abuser, which leads to addiction. Substance use starts to impact their work and social lives not long after trying the substance for the first time. Most people are unaware why some people become addicted to drugs. Some mistakenly believe addicts simply lack willpower or moral fortitude to end their addiction. In actuality, addiction is a disease that requires much more than a strong will and positive intentions to shake.

The words “dependence” and “addiction” are often thrown around in today’s substance abuse-conscious society. That the public is aware of such terms is a step in the right direction, and shows that as a culture we are no longer as willing to sweep such issues under the rug. However, a lack of clear education on the topic and the similarity between the words can lead to confusion. If you are unsure about the difference between the two, it may hinder your efforts to decide on an appropriate course of treatment.

Substance abuse impacts the way that individuals think and behave. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse1, drugs and alcohol imitate the natural chemicals in the brain or they cause the brain to release too many natural hormones. The "high" that a loved one experiences relates to that over-stimulation of chemical responses in the brain. When a tolerance and dependence develops, a loved one can start craving the drug or alcohol.

Drug addiction is a chronic disease that impacts the brain of the addict. Much like other chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, addiction is preventable. One might have a genetic predisposition to addiction, but that doesn’t mean they are destined to become an addict. Prevention is the single most effective key in curing addiction. Prevention comes in two forms, each attacking a different level of addiction. The first form is preventing drug use in the first place. Anyone who may be prone to addiction can prevent it from developing simply by never using addictive substances. The second form comes in the form of preventing a relapse once an addict has become clean. Both types of prevention are equally important. Someone who has already become addicted will require a certain type of preventative program, while an adolescent or adult who is prone to addiction will require another type of program.

While the way the brain functions dictates behavior, certain behavior will also dictate the development of the brain. This puts drug users and those prone to addiction in a delicate situation. Brain development can be dictated by drug abuse, which will then encourage more drug usage and lead the user to full blown addiction. How exactly does this happen? It’s all due to the very way the brain functions.

Sleep is an essential part of maintaining a healthy mind and body. When you are not sleeping enough or when the quality of your sleep is poor, you have a higher risk of developing cognitive challenges. According to Web MD (1), lack of sleep actually hinders or harms your ability to think clearly and to maintain a healthy state of mind. As a result, it contributes to mental health disorders or worsens certain symptoms associated with a disorder.

Are you concerned that someone you love is becoming dependent on alcohol? Have you spotted the hallmark signs of addiction and don't know what to do next? Alcoholism is a terrible condition that can tear apart an individual's personal, career, physical and emotional functioning. There is effective treatment for alcoholism. Help your loved one get the professional care they need today by changing the way you view and understand this debilitating condition. Learn more about the disease theory of alcoholism below.

Fears and worries impact the lives of men and women each day. It is natural to worry about loved ones, taking a test or giving a speech. An anxiety disorder occurs when fears do not have a clear cause and consistently complicate a personal relationships or a personal lifestyle.  According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) (1), anxiety disorders increase the risk of substance abuse by two to three times when compared to individuals in the general population. When a disorder develops, learning these 6 healthy ways to deal with your anxiety is essential for personal health and well-being.