Is addiction a disease?

[pharmapsyche]

Addiction Disrupts Brain Circuitry

Scientific advances have offered remarkable insights into how the human brain works and how it molds behaviors that affect drug addiction, say the directors of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, in a newly published article.
Building on these foundations, scientists can now investigate issues that were previously inaccessible, such as how environmental factors and genes affect how the brain responds to drugs of abuse to drive the process of addiction. The report, by NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow, and NIAAA Director Dr. Ting-Kai Li, is published in the December 2004 issue of Nature Reviews Neuroscience.
"Drug addiction is a brain disease," says Dr. Volkow. "Although initial drug use might be voluntary, once addiction develops this control is markedly disrupted. Imaging studies have shown specific abnormalities in the brains of some, but not all, addicted individuals. While scientific advancements in the understanding of addiction have occurred at unprecedented speed in recent years, unanswered questions remain that highlight the need for further research to better define the neurobiological processes involved in addiction." Recent studies have increased our knowledge of how drugs affect gene expression and brain circuitry, and how these factors affect human behavior. They have shed new light on the relationship between drug abuse and mental illness, and the roles played by heredity, age, and other factors in increased vulnerability to addiction. New knowledge from future research, say Dr. Volkow and Dr. Li, will guide new strategies and change the way clinicians approach the prevention and treatment of addiction.

NIDA NEWS RELEASE

[oldman]

I've been through numerous 12 step recovery treatments, read many books. the only ones that really had a grip on the subject were: Addiction is a Choice (can't remember author) and The complete guide to rational recovery by Jack Trimpy, once I read those it all seemed alot easier. the problem with recovery and addiction treatment people is that they now have a ball rolling that they don't want to stop. solve addiction and they got no job. that's why they all tell you you can't do it on your own. people do everyday, they just happen to not go into the treatment center for people to know about it.

Reputation Comments on this post:

damn good post about recovery without treatment

[deji]

I dont believe in the disease concept one bit. If anything, just a disease of bad choices is what it is.

We are 100% aware of what we are doing and have complete control of what choices we are making.

[sands of time]

A disease??? Thats rediculous. It's more like a disorder.

[bcStoner420]

I agree with sands of time that it is more like a disorder. I also agree with oldman about people have a ball rolling that they don't want to stop. You MUST truly want to quit in order to do so. And the more velocity and momentum that ball gets the harder your gonna have to pull back on it.

[bcStoner420]

Surely there are situations that someone is introduced to drugs in a weak point in there life who really don't know exactly what they are doing. A friend might introduce it to them and just say "take this, you'll feel good" and the person may not have any knowledge/research on the drug, therefore not having any clue about it's long term effects and the toughness of it's potential addiction. Now, I'm not saying it's not 100% your fault and responsibility because it is, in the situation I stated above it's your fault for being such an ignorant/neive idiot IMO.

[polloloco001]

12 step meetings tend to go something like this:
A speaker shares his story and his story of recovery and opens the meeting to everybody else. All the self pitying dry drunks raise their hands and compete for the spotlight. One person gets the spotlight, tells you about the trials and tribulations of their life, none of which was their fault, but just some genetic fluke that they have the burden of living with. Nobody listens to this person, everybody's waiting for their turn. Next person gets the spotlight and says the exact same thing. AA is a self pity game. Instead of getting drunk every night, they go to a room every night and wallow in mob mentality self pity.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Ammen to that...although I've never been to AA thats what I imagine it to be like

[oldman]

ditto on all the above, now let me talk...lol! yes addiction and 12 step groups exist to exonerate (i know spelling) those bad choice people from all the nasty things they did to other while using. frees the guilt. wasn't their fault. there's also another great book called my name is Bill by susan cheever. it's the story of Bill wilson's life. not read by most 12 steppers. it really takes him off the podium and makes him into a real person and not the matyr that this cult has turned him into. what a lot of 12 steppers don't knwo is that Bill W loved lsd while in "recovery" he actually thought it would help a lot of people consider how their drinking affected people. he was good friends with aldous huxley and many others involved in the early acid tests in the late 50's. and in fact the AA foundation (trustees) pleaded with him to stop endorsing lsd because it was hurting the AA movement. it is an excellent book. AA (now) I don't believe is what he would have invisioned it becoming. he was for anythiung that would help people take control of their lives. not just 12 steps and that's it.

[Yeahsme]

I disagree with most of you 100%. Addiction is a disease, and it has been proven over and over again(google it). Addiction is an expression of genes that are screaming at the addicted person to do what he/she was born to do. Which is drugs or alcohol.

Sure people quit taking drugs all the time but the yearning(addiction) is still there.

[Yeahsme]

Because I cant edit my posts, I'll just start another to make this point. People inherit addiction genes just like they inherit blue eyes or brown hair or the tendency to get heart disease. This is a point that has been proven over and over again. And I dont know about you guys but it tends to run in families where I'm from(and let me give you a hint.....it does where you live too).

[sands of time]

Originally Posted by Yeahsme

Because I cant edit my posts, I'll just start another to make this point. People inherit addiction genes just like they inherit blue eyes or brown hair or the tendency to get heart disease. This is a point that has been proven over and over again. And I dont know about you guys but it tends to run in families where I'm from(and let me give you a hint.....it does where you live too).

That does not make it a disease at all. Some people may have a predisposition towards addiction based on they're genes, but they can have genes that give them all kinds of disorders. ADD, ADHD, manic depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, sleeping problems, ect ect ect. These are all disorders that can be passed on through genes.

There is nothing about addiction that strikes me as having a disease quality. If you feed a brain with addictive drugs, it craves more. Some people become addicted faster, but that could be a result of numerous factors. What if that person developed enzymes that break down certain drugs faster than normal? What if it took less time for a tolerance to be built than normal? What if that person just enjoyed getting high more than others? There are too many factors that could have a role in addiction.

At any rate, it seems quite normal for someone to become addicted if you give them an addictive drug for a length of time. Thats just they way the brain works.

[Yeahsme]

Originally Posted by sands of time

There is nothing about addiction that strikes me as having a disease quality.

Remember I am talking about drug/alcohol addiction. There seems to be a distinct difference between drug addiction and addiction to twinkies. Back to the point: The definition of disease is: A pathological condition of a part, organ, or system of an organism resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms.

Drug addiction is a disease of the brain, the liver, the kidneys, the stomach, etc., etc. There isnt a part of the body that isnt ravaged by drug addiction. I know that heroin doesnt hurt any organs other than the brain but then it is still a brain disease. Drug addiction is at least in part genetic(90% of the doctors you ask will tell you that)if not completely genetic. It can be caused by environmental stress and it is most certainly characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms.

Fits the definition to a tee.....

[sands of time]

Expression of genes??? What? That makes absolutely no sense.

[bonghed]

SOT sums up my views (kinda annoying but thanks)

Nope. a disease? Some people that have lost family members or something might hate it enough to call it that. But if i ever see (i never will) Proof that heroin addiction is a disease (need to look up exact meaning)

Obviously it changes brain chemistry, but not a disease
fact

And yeahs me i view that as a cop out (but i also look as religion as a cop out, noone be offended please, just my opinion)

[oldman]

a disease by definition is something tangible. it can be seen. identified. just bcause someone has symtpoms characterisitc of addiciton doesn't make it a disease. people could exhibit the same signs as somone with cancer or heart disease or MS but that doesn't mean they have the disease. it is something that can be diagnosed and tested for.

As for that 90% doctor thing...maybe those coooks at rehabs or addiction therapists will agree with you. And yes addiction counselors will tell you it is accepted as a disease by the AMA (american medical assoc). guess what, that includes less than half of the licensed physicians in america (sorry europe). apparently those in the AMA do not accept it as a disease either, they just don't dispell it. you know why? ask a physician (surgeons are the best) what happens when they are caught drinking or under the influence on the job. Instead of being banished from the halls of medicine, they put their tails between their legs go off to rehab, are watched like hawks afterward, and forced to do 12 step work for years. hence their acceptance of the disease model. "honest miss, I'm sorry your husband dropped dead on the table, I'm hoping to get control of this terrible disease of alcoholism from which I suffer." conveinient little loop to keep the good Dr raking in the big bucks.

swim was in hazelden with 2 Dr's in his unit. they explained this little matter of the disease theory to him and why they now don't dispute it. any doctor worth his own spit will tell you it doesn't exist anymore than having a disease which turns you into a flaming a-hole.

By the way I have noticed that symtoms like selfishness, dishonesty, and gluttony often appear to be genetic traits. maybe someday we'll be able to cure one of those terrible diseases.

Read "Addiction is a Choice" then come back and tell us what you think. as long as you call it a disease you're taking the peolpe who harm others and turning them into victims. no guilt no pain. everybody you screwed over all those years has now got to take care of your poor wretched diseased ass. what a pity.

[sands of time]

I'm sorry, but if you read any in depth studies that are done by people who primarily study drug addiction, they all, for the most part, refer to is as a disorder. A general doctor has no problem calling it a disease, becuase they are just describing the concept of drug addiction. You must be a bit more precise when the bulk of you work is done in studying drug addiction. A rehab doctor doesn't count unless they have an unbiased view on drug addiction.

And what do you mean when you say drug addiction is genetic??? That is a terribly broad statement which could mean many things. Are you saying genetics influence if a person becomes addicted, genetics influence how fast someone becomes addicted.... What?!

Genetics can influence how fast someone becomes addicted, and to what drugs, but most anyone can become addicted with time and consecutive use patterns. If you think there are hords of people who can not experience addiction, you should research this subject a bit further. Perhaps direct your attention towards the complex neuropathways of the brain, and read about what drugs actually do. Read about why people become addicted to opiates.

[oldman]

probably on of the genetic predispositions people may inherit would be the ability to metabolize or utilize certain substances in a quicker or easier fashion. for instance someone whose body metabolizes alcohol faster may not feel the negative effects (hangover) the same way someone else (who doesn't have the genes) may. therrefore addiction may be easier to fall into with the first person since he doesn't associate drinking with as many negative consequences as the person B. Person B has one or two drinks and remembers how bad a hangover feels and lets it stop there. Doesn't mean he can't become addicted, just means he's gonna have top try a little harder then the first guy. the second guy can feel "full" sooner because the intelligent part of his brain will dominate the caveman. first guys intelligent brain sees no reason to argue with the caveman since it doesn't bother him so much.

Like SOT says we all have the potential, some easier than others. genes may have an influence they cetainly don't cause the "disease" as some call it to come.

[INodHardOhYeah]

Addiction is accepted by the American Medical Association as a disease. I have been through more than my fair share of rehabs and hospitals and an understanding of recovery dynamics is required to understand how addiction is a disease. It is far too much for me to post but I'll try and find a link. One marked difference can be seen in the levels of certain neurotransmiters in an addicted persons brain as well as proof that the body metabolises drugs differently in an addicted person. There is actually an entire field of medicine dedicated to this known as addiction medicine (obvious, I know). Personal belief has nothing to do with the fact that addiction is a disease, Rational Recovery is complete bullshit, no one recovers by this method. As is Moderation Management which after the author was involved in a DUI killing two people and spending a number of years in jail was finally renounced, I'll try and find a link to recovery dynamics so you can get a better idea.

[oldman]

I'll go along with the fact MM is bullshit, always was, but I don't think you know anything about RR. It doesn't have the cult following AA (or NA or CA, etc) does, because that is not its intention. if you want to know what bullshit is look no further than the AMA, less than half of licensed MD's in america belong to it. they know about as much about what's good for you as the FDA.

[pharmapsyche]

A brain disease interferes with normal neurological function by causing physiological defects inside the brain. Parkinson's disease is a result of dimished dopamine levels. Addiction is indeed a disease since it is a result of physiological damage to the brain.

[sands of time]

Originally Posted by benzenerings

A brain disease interferes with normal neurological function by causing physiological defects inside the brain. Parkinson's disease is a result of dimished dopamine levels. Addiction is indeed a disease since it is a result of physiological damage to the brain.

What damage are you referring to? I can see receptor destruction as being damage.

[pharmapsyche]

I meant damage to the cell's vesicles, mitochondria, ligand receptors and/or uptake carrier, for example.

[sands of time]

Originally Posted by benzenerings

I meant damage to the cell's vesicles, mitochondria, ligand receptors and/or uptake carrier, for example.

I'm a bit confused, is this damage done by the drug, or the addiction itself? A number of drugs have neurotoxic properties, but that would not make addiction itself a disease. It would mean your putting a poison in your body repeatedly. There is nothing that is forcing you to continue this behavior, but the depletion of different neurotransmitters definately will influence your final decision. All the other factors such as metabolism of the drug, decrease number of receptors, and the brains own antagonist neurotransmitters also influence the decision.

I guess I'm looking at this from a psychological viewpoint. Addiction is a nagging voice which makes you want to repeate a behavior over and over again. There is negative reinforcement, in that by taking the drug, that nagging voice is stopped for awhile. Taking the drug also suppresses the discomfort of withdrawals. A psychologist, particularly one who follows the behavior/cognitive paradigm, would probably be more apt to call addiction a disorder.

[pharmapsyche]

The damage done by the drug is the cause of addiction. If you compare the brain scan of a healthy individule to the brain scan of a methamphetamine addict, the damage is obvious. Areas of the frontal lobe associated with decision-making show significant inactivity. The addict has lost the ability to decide to quit taking the drug. Areas of the brain associated with cravings are extremely active in the addict's brain as well. Due to repeated exposure of methamphetamine, the addict is incapable of not craving it as well as balancing reward with consequence.

Addiction is a disease. Drug abuse is a disorder. They are different.

[INodHardOhYeah]

Originally Posted by benzenerings

Addiction is a disease. Drug abuse is a disorder. They are different.

Well put, also in regards to RR I have tried and it didn't work for ME, but I can't speak for everyone. AA/NA is the only thing that has ever worked for me and while it may seem like a cult from the outside looking in the program is much different than it first appears to be.

This is a good resource for info on the study of the disease of addiction, on a Neurochemical and neurobiological basis.
http://www.addictionscience.net/

Reputation Comments on this post:

quality post with a nice link