A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER OR ADDICTION IS A BRAIN DISEASE
IT IS A PRIMARY DISEASE
- Addiction is a PRIMARY DISEASE which means it is not the result of some other situation, problem or health issue.
- As with other diseases, like diabetes and cancer, addiction is often related to genetic factors, has observable signs and symptoms and the course of the disease is predictable.
ADDICTION IS CHRONIC
- CHRONIC means that addiction will continue to worsen throughout a person's lifetime without effective treatment.
- The American Medical Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine define addiction as a primary, CHRONIC DISEASE of the brain's reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry.
ADDICTION IS PROGRESSIVE
- Addiction is a PROGRESSIVE DISEASE which means that once a person becomes addicted to alcohol, drugs, other substances or behaviors the disease will worsen throughout a person's life without effective treatment.
ADDICTION CAN BE FATAL
- Untreated addiction worsens over time and CAN BE FATAL because of damages and impairments that addiction causes in the brain and other organs of the body.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT ADDICTION IS TREATABLE
- Addictive Disorders can be effectively treated and the person who is addicted can be returned to her or his normal level functioning.
- The entire family is impacted by their loved one's addiction and family education and counseling sessions are provided to help them learn about the addiction and recovery process.
- Life in recovery will be even better than it was before!