Understanding Addiction

Understanding addiction as a brain disease involves recognising the profound changes it causes in brain structure and function. This transformation from “normal” to “addict” can vary in time for each individual. Contrary to stereotypes of weakness or immorality, addiction is 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 legal consequences.

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 journey to recovery as people who need treatment, much like any other illness.

The “rock bottom” lie

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 and negligible.

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 journey to recovery, contact us via email or call us.

Sobering Up

Whether you visited the We Do Recover website for a personal problem or on behalf of a loved one, the first step on the road to recovery is seeking the right help. Acceptance of the process will follow suit in due course.

Staging an Intervention

One can’t always see the damage that one is causing oneself and one’s surrounding loved ones. Sometimes intervention by someone objective is necessary.

We Do Recover is here to help you stage a successful intervention for your loved one and to help them regain a grip on their freedom and happiness.

Alcohol & Drug Detox

Detoxifying the body is a fundamental first step in recovery and getting clean. A structured and measured process to wean the body off of the addictive substances, most be followed and the resulting withdrawal symptoms managed accordingly.

Rehabilitation Treatment

Once detoxification has taken place, psychological and physical recovery is a vital second step on the road to recovery. This is why residential stay in a clean, comfortable and quiet facility, suggested by We Do Recover, is of the utmost importance.

Individual & Group Counselling

Individual and group counselling is extremely vital and beneficial to the recovery of an addict. This is where key issues, that may have sparked the addiction problem in the first place, can be worked through and where healthy coping mechanisms and life skills can inspire a new, healthier, happier way of life.

Continued Care

A solid support system that continues to uplift and shelter, after one’s rehabilitation process, is deemed necessary by both recovering addicts and treatment centres. Aftercare, via continued group therapy sessions, is a means of ensuring this.

A Sober Community

Adjusting to a new, clean life in society again can be difficult for a recovering addict. We Do Recover understands that a supportive external community can do the world of good and can make all the difference when it comes to getting sober and staying clean.

Preventing a Relapse

Maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle, that is afforded the right support, can often prevent a relapse that might easily have occurred. Contact We Do Recover for individual assistance with relapse prevention.

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.

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