Understanding Drug Addiction & Treatment | WeDoRecover

Seeing addiction as a treatable disorder helps us to approach it with a more informed understanding and with due the compassion that it deserves.

Understanding Addiction

Addiction as a brain disease involves recognising the changes it causes in brain structure and function. This progression from “normal” to “addict” or “alcoholic” can vary in time for each individual. Contrary to stereotypes of weakness or immorality, addiction is often characterised by an uncontrollable craving for substances despite harmful consequences, including health deterioration and social or legal issues.

Addiction typically progresses from experimentation to a loss of control over usage making treatment increasingly challenging. Defining drug addiction as an unmanageable desire for drugs that persists despite negative impacts highlights its severity. Absolute abstinence is often the only path to recovery.

As addiction expert Dr. Kathleen Brady notes, addiction doesn’t develop overnight but through a gradual loss of control. Recognising addiction as a treatable brain disorder is fundamental for changing public perception, creating a more compassionate view towards addicts as individuals requiring treatment, similar to any other illness rather than as societal failures.

Once a drug has been used for a period of time it seems to alter the brain from “normal” to “addict”. The period of time during which drug use effects these changes differs from person to person. Often, people addicted to alcohol or other drugs are seen as weak characters, intellectually deficient or just plain immoral. Stigma and stereotypes around addiction still abound.

Addicts cannot control their craving for the substance which they are addicted to despite the negative results like ill health and social or even legal issues.

The addiction worsens and becomes increasingly difficult to treat and the individual’s health deteriorates. The world’s leading addiction researchers & scientists now say that addiction is a brain disease which results in changes to brain structure and brain function. Frequent drug use over time causes these changes that unfortunately can persist after the addict has discontinued the use of drugs.

The Definition of Drug Addiction

One of the definitions of drug addiction is an uncontrollable and compulsive desire for drugs, including the search for and use of drugs despite all the negative health and social consequences. Once addicted, the vast majority of users cannot return to occasional use. Absolute abstinence seems to be the only way to recovery.

Dr Kathleen Brady, an expert on addiction, says that addiction does not develop overnight. “Generally there’s a series of steps that individuals go through from experimentation and occasional use to the actual loss of control of use. And it really is that process that defines addiction,” she says.

Understanding Addiction shows how addiction is a treatable brain disorder and needs to be viewed in light of this. The public’s perceptions need to be re-educated not to regard addicts with little compassion as losers in society but rather to support them in their process to recovery as people who need treatment, much like any other illness.

The “rock bottom” lie we tell ourselves

There is a fatal and deceptive notion that addicted individuals need to hit “rock bottom” before they are admitted into a facility for treatment. This means that an addicted person must have reached the end of their tether with regards to their addiction and that their consequences should be severe before they ‘qualify’ for help.

The falsehood is widespread and will continue to claim untold lives until you and I do all we can to change it.

Addiction is a brain disorder that changes the shape and workings of the brain. It is a chronic and primary illness. Treatment results are MUCH better with long term treatment and ongoing monitoring. Leaving an individual addicted to either drugs or alcohol to continue self-destruction unchecked is both irresponsible, negligible and insane.

If we understand addiction as a brain disease, naturally many patients present as unwilling to enter rehab or even think that they have a problem. Denial is commonplace and a hurdle that is overcome in treatment. It is vital that family, significant others, colleagues and friends understand that the sooner help is sought, the better.

The Road to Recovery

The road to recovery, via addiction treatment, is a rocky one and is an entirely different experience for each and every person. Below are the different types of rehabilitation for substance abuse. We Do Recover can aid you or your loved one with any of the following problems and can suggest the right rehabilitation treatment and centre for the particular addiction at hand.

If you are ready to begin your process to recovery, contact us via email or call us.

Effective treatment focuses on the whole person, combining medication, therapy and social support to address both psychological and physical needs. Importantly, external pressure from various sources can positively influence recovery, even if the addict initially lacks personal motivation. Relapse is a common part of the recovery process, often accompanied by emotional challenges and requires ongoing support rather than judgment. Recognising addiction as a treatable brain disorder is key in shifting public perception, encouraging empathy and support for addicts as they navigate their path to recovery.