| Is drug and alcohol addiction a matter of will power, | | | | play as far as addiction is concerned: |
| choice or is it a disease? Despite matters of health, | | | | 1. Genetics: When drug or substance abuse runs in |
| and the fact that nobody expects drug addiction and | | | | the family, then there is a greater chance of the |
| alcohol addiction to happen as a result of their use, it | | | | person getting addicted since the chemically altered |
| does. Why? | | | | nature of the brain may be hereditary. |
| Let's examine these questions in detail. | | | | 2. Low self-esteem: low self esteem or depression |
| First it's important to understand the cycle of | | | | tendency may also lead to addiction. There is a |
| addiction. When a person takes things like alcohol or | | | | simple reason for this. People who have low self |
| drugs, these substances alter the chemical | | | | confidence or low self-esteem may be searching for |
| composition of the brain. Alcohol and drugs causes | | | | easy ways to feel good. Drugs/alcohol gives them |
| the brain to release endorphins, the pleasure causing | | | | that high, which makes them feel that they are |
| agents. As a result the person loses all his inhibitions | | | | better than anyone else. |
| and feels "high". The process of addiction is a sine | | | | 3. Emotional factors: There is a high risk for addiction |
| wave phenomenon with sharp peaks and troughs. As | | | | for people who have not had their needs for love |
| the intoxication wee ras off, a feeling of being let | | | | met, or known unconditional love. Such children want |
| down or depression can occur. He starts craving for | | | | to be needed and loved, which they do not find at |
| the next fix since his body demands it. The focus is | | | | home and hence seek in peers. Most of the times, |
| on just a single thing, the next high or rush. He | | | | just to please their friends, they get into drugs or |
| spends all his energy in getting the drug or the alcohol | | | | alcohol and oft time develops an addiction. |
| and nothing else matters. | | | | Addiction is a disease that ruins a capable and |
| In other words addiction is not a behavior issue, In | | | | intelligent human being. This disease needs treatment |
| fact it is a disease. Once the person is addicted, | | | | like all the other diseases. The catch in this situation is |
| refusal skills or willpower weakens, and use becomes | | | | that the patient is unaware of his problem and may |
| almost a conditioned reflex. | | | | even deny it. Therefore it is crucial to handle the |
| Who are at risk for addiction? Almost everyone is at | | | | patient with understanding and love. With the right |
| a risk; however some people are at a greater risk of | | | | treatment addiction to drugs and alcohol can be |
| addiction than the others. A lot of factors come into | | | | cured and the persons' life put back in order. |