Stigma Of Addiction

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Myths and Stigma of Addiction For as almost as long as there have been drugs and alcohol, addiction to these substances has been seen as a moral failing. People who have struggled with addiction have were seen as simply lacking willpower. Although this myth is still held by some, a newer and more scientific paradigm for understanding addiction has taken its place. The reality is, addiction is a disease. “Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug [alcohol] seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be long lasting. These changes in the brain can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who use drugs [alcohol].”(NIH, 2016) A common misconception is that addiction …show more content…
A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.” (NIH, 2016) Countless neurological studies have been performed to understand the parts of the brain that are triggered to better understand and treat addiction. “The neurobiology of addiction encompasses more than the neurochemistry of reward. The frontal cortex of the brain and underlying white matter connections between the frontal cortex and circuits of reward, motivation and memory are fundamental in the manifestations of altered impulse control, altered judgment, and the dysfunctional pursuit of rewards (which is often experienced by the affected person as a desire to “be normal”) seen in addiction--despite cumulative adverse consequences experienced from engagement in substance use and other addictive behaviors.” (Lopez, 2017) Neuroscientists at the University of California, Berkeley have found that neural activity in the brain’s orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex regulates choice. Dr. Jonathan Wallis, who conducted this study, “the findings offer hope that, through understanding the mechanism of addiction, treatment can be targeted at these risk-weighing, decision-making centers of the brain.” (Nauert, …show more content…
It is believed that addiction could run in the family. Genetics play an important role in everyone’s development. But does it also influence a person to become addicted? In my experience, the answer is yes. My mother is an alcoholic. Just as tragic, I am watching my beautiful youngest brother slowly kill himself with alcohol, only to have lost a brother to suicide while he was under the influence of alcohol. If that isn’t genetic, I don’t know what is. Genetic Science Learning Center: “Because addiction has an inherited component, it often runs in families. That is, it can be passed down from parent to child by way of genes.” Researchers “begin by comparing DNA sequences of family members who are affected by addiction with those who are not, and they look for pieces of DNA that are shared among affected individuals and less common in the unaffected.” (Genetic Science Learning Center, 2017) Genetics do play a role in addiction, but it is also not a clear indicator that someone will be dependent on drugs or
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