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
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