Addiction: Impacts on Individuals and Society
BY: Neighbors’ Consejo|
Addiction, often misunderstood as a mere lack of willpower, is a complex and pervasive issue that transcends individual struggles and affects entire communities. Its impacts are profound, touching every facet of life from personal health and family dynamics to economic productivity and societal cohesion. Understanding the multifaceted consequences of addiction is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat it and support those affected.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, “addiction is a chronic (lifelong) condition that involves compulsive seeking and taking of a substance or performing of an activity despite negative or harmful consequences. Addiction can significantly impact your health, relationships and overall quality of life. It’s crucial to seek help as soon as you develop signs of addiction.”
It is important to recognize the causes, that is why the same source affirms that “symptoms vary from person to person and based on the substance or activity. In general, signs include:”
- Inability to stop
- Increased tolerance
- Intense focus in the substance or activity
- Lack of control
- Personal problems and health issues
- Withdrawal
However, “there is not a single cause of addiction, it’s a very complex condition. A significant part of how addiction develops is through changes in your brain chemistry. Substances and certain activities affect your brain, especially the reward center of your brain.”
Experts recognize two types of addiction:
- Chemical addiction: This refers to addiction that involves the use of substances.
- Behavioral addiction: This refers to addiction that involves compulsive behaviors. These are persistent, repeated behaviors that you carry out even if they don’t offer any real benefit.
How does addiction affect the physical and mental health of individuals? “Substance abuse and mental health are linked because the psychological effects of drug addiction, including alcohol, cause changes in your body and brain. A careful balance of chemicals keeps the cogs turning inside your body, and even the smallest change can cause you to experience negative symptoms. Because the risk factors for mental health and substance abuse are comparable, this may be attributed to the fact that drug addiction can cause or worsen mental health conditions, such as:”
- Disorders that affect decision-making
- Heart disease including high blood pressure
- Psychosis
- Reduced immune function
- Stomach issues
- Respiratory problems
- Liver damage
- Kidney disease
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, some physical effects are:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis B and C
- Lung disease
- Mental disorders
Can addiction be treated? “Yes, addiction is a treatable disorder. Research on the science of addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders has led to the development of research-based methods that help people to stop using drugs and resume productive lives, also known as being in recovery.” Can addiction be cured? “Like treatment for other chronic diseases such as heart disease or asthma, addiction treatment is not a cure, but a way of managing the condition. Treatment enables people to counteract addiction’s disruptive effects on their brain and behavior and regain control of their lives.”
In conclusion, addiction is a multifaceted and pervasive issue that affects not only individuals but entire communities. It is often misunderstood as a simple lack of willpower, yet it involves profound and complex changes in brain chemistry and behavior. By recognizing the nature of addiction and its extensive impacts, society can better support individuals in recovery and develop more effective strategies to prevent and treat addiction.
References:
Abuse, National Institute on Drug. Addiction and Health | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). –, https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/addiction-health.
«Addiction». Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6407-addiction.
Addiction., https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/addiction .
Rac, Rac. Five Psychological Effects of Drug Addiction | RACNJ. https://www.racnj.com/5-devastating-psychological-effects-of-drug-addiction/.
«Types of Addiction and How They’re Treated». Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-addiction.