Understanding Addiction as a Brain Disease — Not a Moral Failing

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Addiction can impact people of different age groups, social backgrounds and identities. Some individuals coping with addiction may experience negative attitudes from others in many different ways. People might believe that addiction is caused by a ‘lack of willpower’, leading to increased stigma. It is important to shed light on research that discusses addiction as brain disorder instead of limiting it to willpower or moral failure. Perceiving addiction as a moral failure may further increase the feeling of guilt and shame.

The neuroscience of addiction helps in understanding addiction as brain disorder. This can help in viewing addiction from a scientific lens and support those dealing with addiction disorders.

What Is Addiction: Moral Failing vs. Brain Disease

When addiction is viewed as a moral failing, there can be a higher sense of blame and guilt. On the other hand, understanding addiction as a brain disease can help in looking at the neuroscience of addiction. Brain disease also gives a strong scope for scientific ways to ensure care and management. Due to the perspective focusing on moral failing, neurobiology and genetics may be ignored. Thus, to understand recovery from addiction, scientific perspectives should be taken into consideration.

Why Addiction Is Not a Moral Failing

Here are some of the points focusing on how addiction should not be considered as a moral failure:

1. Despite wanting to self-control, one may find it difficult to do so due to the neuroscience behind the same.

2. Genetics can play an important role in the development of addiction-related concerns.

3. Traumatic incidents and stress can influence the brain's functioning, making one more prone to addiction.

Several studies have been conducted to understand the neuroscience of addiction, and, therefore, labelling individuals diagnosed with addiction as ‘moral failures’ can be harmful to society.

Neuroscience of Addiction (What Happens Inside the Brain)

A basic understanding of the neuroscience of addiction can be as follows:

1. As one consumes a drug or substance, the dopamine reward system in the brain can get activated, thereby making the individual feel temporary happiness.

2.  The brain gradually learns to prioritise drugs over other rewards in the environment that may not provide similar intensity stimulation.

3. Gradually, one may develop cravings for more substance to experience the same euphoric effect.

4.  Tolerance of the same amount of substance can develop, and if the substance is not consumed, one can show withdrawal symptoms.

The above-mentioned points highlight some basic elements regarding the neuroscience of addiction.

Risk Factors (Why Some People Get Addicted and Others Don’t)

Despite consumption of the same substance or drug and in the same quantity, there can be individual differences concerning the development of addiction-related concerns. These risk factors making some individuals more prone towards brain disorder disease, can include:

1. Heredity and Genetics

2. History of trauma

3. Socio-economic-status

4. Brain development stage

5. Type of social support

Signs Addiction Is Becoming a Brain Disorder Disease

The signs helping us understand addiction as a brain disorder disease can be categorised into behavioral, emotional or psychological and physical signs. Behavioural signs are usually related to observable actions, emotional signs or psychological signs can be pertaining to the mental processes and emotion regulation, whereas physical signs can be the body’s response to a specific substance.

The signs of brain disorder disease as a consequence of substances may vary based on the amount and type of substance consumed, and due to individual differences.

Behavioral signs

-  Difficulty in quitting despite knowing the severe consequences

-  Negative impact on work life, academics and social life

- Becoming more prone towards risk-taking behaviour

-  Decreased productivity and functioning in daily life

Emotional/psychological signs

-  Irritable mood

-  Feeling anxious more often

-  Decreased stress tolerance

-   Mood changes due to substance

Physical signs (varies by substance)

-  Disturbed sleep

-  Changed appetite

-  Health deterioration

-  Weak immune system

Recovery From Addiction — How Healing Happens

Journey towards sobriety is possible with consistent efforts and a structured treatment plan. As one seeks support from a professional rehab facility, an assessment of concerns is done, and goals are set. Detox, healthier coping mechanisms, and psychotherapy sessions can be useful elements of the recovery journey. Gradually, cravings can reduce, and brain circuits can regain balance.

How Families Can Support Without Enabling

Families can offer support by firstly understanding addiction as brain disorder and refraining from blaming the person. Some key ways to provide support can include:

1. Giving them a safe space to share

2. Listening without judgement

3. Encouraging professional support

4. Ensuring adherence to the treatment plan

5. Taking family counselling if needed

Breaking the Stigma (Changing How Society Treats Addiction)

Recovery from addiction can become easier if we make an effort to replace moral judgment with the neuroscience of addiction and the medical reasons leading to addiction. Some of the ways in which stigma associated with mental health disorders and addiction-related concerns can be broken include:

1. Awareness campaigns

2. Psychoeducation of people

3. Supporting addiction recovery

4. Reducing discriminatory actions

We can all take a step forward in becoming more mindful of our words, emotions and behaviour towards those who are struggling with addiction and trying to cope!

Conclusion

Recovery from addiction can be through both inpatient and outpatient facilities, depending upon the severity of concerns faced. Athena Behavioral Health uses a scientific and evidence-based approach for supporting recovery from addiction. We offer both inpatient and outpatient facilities, along with numerous psychotherapy techniques that can be utilised during this journey.

You can contact us today at +91 9289086193, and we can help you understand the neuroscience of addiction so that a suitable treatment plan can be developed.