There’s no denying that drug and alcohol addiction is always a frowned-upon topic by most individuals. For them, addiction is a telltale sign of weakness, a character flaw, or a moral failure. But this doesn’t always have to be the case since it is merely a common condition affecting millions of people of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic groups.
While there is no one cause of drug and alcohol addiction, there is hope- it can be treated effectively. Now more than ever, you can take advantage of what a Utah drug rehab center offers to bring your almost lost life back on the right track. Keep reading to learn more about the addiction menace.
It is a Mental Illness
Addiction is a chronic disease that keeps changing both brain structure and function. It swaps the everyday desires of the brain with those of the drug you’re addicted to. In this regard, you will no longer be able to enjoy what other people do as the brain goes through changes.
These changes commence with recognition of pleasure and end with a drive toward compulsive behavior to meet that desire. At time when you try quitting, the addiction weakness your sheer ability to manage your impulses.
To put it plainly, addiction exerts a long and powerful influence on the brain. This influence manifests in the form of craving for the object of addiction, loss of control over its uses, and continuing development with it despite problems it causes.
Addiction Rarely Acts Solo
Stress, anxiety, trauma, and depression can also lead to substance use disorders, which has the potential to create new challenges for your mental health. Most individuals battling other mental health complications also struggle with addiction to drugs and alcohol.
The vast majority of those with a substance abuse disorder also have other mental health symptoms or disorders. This is what is commonly referred to having a dual diagnosis. Some of the things that tend to co-occur with addiction issues include bipolar disorder, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), to name a few.