Addiction
Addiction Exercise
Lillian Mitford started smoking cigarettes. Lillian’s friend said, “smoking stinks, what a disgusting habit!”
Addiction
- Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive substance seeking and use, despite harmful consequences that impact not only the affected individual but also addicted persons’ families and communities
- It is a disease as it:
- Alters the normal structure or function of a body part, organ or system
- Has characteristic syndromes, or set of symptoms and signs
- Can remain with a person throughout his or her life, similar to other diseases like diabetes or hypertension
Signs of Addiction
- Signs (can be observed, tested or screened)
- Red eyes, runny nose
- Abscess at an injection site
- Lack of interest in activities
- Significant mood changes
- Loss of interest in personal appearance
- Change in friends
- Alterations in brain activity as seen through brain imaging
Symptoms of Addiction
- Symptoms (something experienced by the affected person)
- Craving
- Anxiety when not using
- Failing in attempts to cease using the drug
- Doing risky activities when under the influence of the drug
- Needing more of the drug over time