One of the biggest debates in addiction treatment today is about whether addiction is a disease. People frequently ask this question when talking to Beaches Recovery about this leading addiction treatment center Jacksonville FL trusts. The reality is that, while people argue their points back and forth, people with addictions need treatment that works. What is proven to work is their pathway to a better, drug-free life.
About the Disease Model of Addiction
According to scientists, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and even the American Medical Association, addiction is a brain and body disease. This disease involves compulsive substance abuse, even knowing that using drugs or alcohol causes mental, social, and physical damage. The disease interrupts the brain’s reward, learning, judgment, motivation, and memory centers. It also wreaks havoc on your family, school, work, social life, and other relationships.
With its causes rooted in environmental, behavioral, and biological factors, addiction works like other chronic, relapsing diseases. Examples of these other conditions similar to addiction are cancer, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. As with addiction, a patient with these conditions knows they must follow a treatment plan and maintain recovery. Otherwise, they risk falling back into their disease’s progression.
Another cause of addiction is genetics. When a family member suffers addiction to drugs or alcohol, a high likelihood exists for their blood relatives to fall into the same patterns leading to addiction. Regardless of how use begins, it changes how the brain and body function.
Not getting necessary treatment in a Florida addiction treatment center sets the person suffering addiction up for many other mental and physical problems. Like other diseases left untreated, addiction becomes life-threatening.
Is addiction a chronic disease?
“Chronic” means long-lasting and, while not curable, controllable. Again, addiction falls in this category with other conditions like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes.
One quarter to one-half of people regularly using drugs or alcohol suffers addiction. For them, the disease is progressing and requires help from a quality Florida drug rehab center. Even after achieving recovery through an drug rehab in Jacksonville FL, the disease can relapse at any time. This makes it essential to receive a high quality of care and use learned skills to avoid such relapse.
Willpower was once the assumed issue in substance abuse and addiction. But thanks to decades of scientific research, experts know that willpower only plays a role before addiction takes hold. Once the need for the drug sets in, the brain and body change. This impairs willpower and takes away personal control.
What do I do if someone I love suffers this disease?
When you realize your friend or loved one abuses drugs or alcohol and needs help, you do not have to stand alone. Simply call a trusted and respected addiction treatment center Jacksonville FL. Talk to a caring counselor about your loved one’s situation. Find out what solutions exist to help them stop using their substances.
Some of these solutions are the programs offered by a quality addiction rehab center Jacksonville FL. Programs include:
- Inpatient or residential rehab
- PHP, IOP and OP programs
- Medically supervised detox
- Sober living
- Aftercare and alumni programs
- Men’s programs and women’s programs
- LGBTQ+ friendly programs
Will my loved one ever have a better life?
With the help of an addiction treatment center Jacksonville FL, your loved one can rebuild their life. The important things right now are to not blame them for their disease and to help them get the treatment they need. Once they get this help, they must take responsibility for their life and maintain their recovery. Call a caring counselor at your chosen rehab center today, to start forging a path for your loved one to follow out of their substance abuse.