Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain. It is considered both a complex brain disorder and a mental illness.

Addiction is an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior even though it is causing psychological and physical harm. The term addiction does not only refer to dependence on substances such as heroin or cocaine.

The definition of addiction is explored. Elements of addiction derived from a literature search that uncovered 52 studies include: (a) engagement in the behavior to achieve appetitive effects, (b) preoccupation with the behavior, (c) temporary satiation, (d) loss of control, and (e) suffering negative consequences.

Models of drug use

• Moral model. During the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries addiction was viewed as a sin.
• Disease model. The disease model assumes that the origins of addiction lie within the individual him/herself.
• Psycho-dynamic model.
• Social learning model.
• Socio-cultural model.
• Public health model.

As a concept, the four Cs of addiction was created to distill the disease of addiction to its most fundamental parts, which are compulsion, cravings, consequence, and control. They have since become a useful way to accurately describe or even identify addiction.

The most common roots of addiction are chronic stress, a history of trauma, mental illness and a family history of addiction. Understanding how these can lead to chronic substance abuse and addiction will help you reduce your risk of becoming addicted.

Mental health—If someone is suffering from a mental disorder, they are more than likely to be addicted to drugs. Whether it’s alcohol to curb their anxiety, or opioids to compensate for depression, it is a leading factor for addiction.

Substance abuse affects and costs the individual, the family, and the community in significant, measurable ways including loss of productivity and unemployability; impairment in physical and mental health; reduced quality of life; increased crime; increased violence; abuse and neglect of children; dependence on non- …

Here are 5 practical addiction prevention tips.

1. Educate Youth. One of the best and most effective ways to prevent addiction is to educate the youth about the risks of drug and alcohol abuse.
2. Teach Healthy Coping Skills.
3. Get Involved in Something You Care About.
4. Stay Close to Friends and Family.
5. Practice Self-Care.

General signs of addiction are: lack of control, or inability to stay away from a substance or behavior. decreased socialization, like abandoning commitments or ignoring relationships. ignoring risk factors, like sharing needles despite potential consequences.

Research from 2012 looking at habit formation suggests 10 weeks, or about 2.5 months, is a more realistic estimate for most people. The main evidence-backed time frame for habit breaking comes from 2009 research , which suggests it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days.

5 Problematic Addictive Behaviors

• Impulse Control and Addictive Behaviors. Impulse control is the ability to fight temptation and stop using.
• Lying. Often, people struggling with addiction lie.
• Stealing. While in the throes of addiction, people steal as well.
• Manipulating.
• Obsessing.
• Seeking Addiction Treatment.

NIDA researchers have found the following connections between stress and drug abuse: Stress can cause changes in the brain like those caused by addictive drugs. This suggests that some people who experience stress may be more vulnerable to drug addiction or drug relapse.

Addiction involves craving for something intensely, loss of control over its use, and continuing involvement with it despite adverse consequences. Addiction changes the brain, first by subverting the way it registers pleasure and then by corrupting other normal drives such as learning and motivation.

The Four Stages of Addiction

• Stage 1: Experimentation. Very few people set out to become addicted.
• Stage 2: Regular Use & Abuse.
• Stage 3: Dependency & Tolerance.
• Stage 4: Addiction.
• Detox, Treatment & Recovery.

The Three Phases of Addiction

• Binge and Intoxication – People begin to use a drug and experience a euphoric high as a result.
• Withdrawal and Negative Effects– Intoxication caused by use of a drug can lead to physical discomfort, anxiety, or distress when that drug is no longer present in a person’s body.

The path to addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs or alcohol. But over time, a person’s ability to choose not to do so becomes compromised. Seeking and taking the drug or alcohol becomes compulsive. This is mostly due to the effects of long-term exposure on brain function.

Drug use can also result in long-term health outcomes that include: harm to organs and systems in your body, such as your throat, stomach, lungs, liver, pancreas, heart, brain, nervous system.

Medical consequences Opioids can cause low blood pressure, a slowed breathing rate and potential for breathing to stop, or a coma. Overdose has a significant risk of death. Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives can cause memory problems, low blood pressure and slowed breathing. Overdose can cause coma or death.

Some drugs replace missing substances or correct low levels of natural body chemicals such as some hormones or vitamins. Medicines can even affect parts of the nervous system that control a body process.

Here are the top five ways to prevent substance abuse:

1. Understand how substance abuse develops.
2. Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure.
3. Seek help for mental illness.
4. Examine the risk factors.
5. Keep a well-balanced life.

Certain factors can affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction:

• Family history of addiction. Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely involves genetic predisposition.
• Mental health disorder.
• Peer pressure.
• Lack of family involvement.
• Early use.
• Taking a highly addictive drug.

Illegal drugs can damage the brain, heart, and other important organs. Cocaine, for instance, can cause a heart attack — even in a kid or teen. While using drugs, people are also less able to do well in school, sports, and other activities. It’s often harder to think clearly and make good decisions.

Prevention Education: The Role of Parents

• Learn the major risk factors for drug use among children.
• Learn about drug use consequences and make clear statements that you disapprove of drug use.
• Be involved in your child’s life.
• Know your child’s friends.
• Minimize a child’s stress at home.

It occurs when you use alcohol, prescription medicine, and other legal and illegal substances too much or in the wrong way. Substance abuse differs from addiction. Many people with substance abuse problems are able to quit or can change their unhealthy behavior. Addiction, on the other hand, is a disease.

There are four major conceptual approaches to prevention: risk-factor, developmental, social influence, and community-specific.

Remember, drugs change the brain—and this can lead to addiction and other serious problems. So, preventing early use of drugs or alcohol may go a long way in reducing these risks. Risk of drug use increases greatly during times of transition. For an adult, a divorce or loss of a job may increase the risk of drug use.

Drug education enables children, youth and adults to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to appreciate the benefits of living healthily (which may or may not include the use of psychoactive substances), promote responsibility towards the use of drugs and relate these to their own actions and those of others.

never stopping or changing a dosing regimen without first discussing it with the doctor. never using another person’s prescription and never giving their prescription medications to others. storing prescription stimulants, sedatives, and opioids safely.

Primary prevention involves helping at-risk individuals avoid the development of addictive behaviors. Secondary prevention consists of uncovering potentially harmful substance use prior to the onset of overt symptoms or problems.