What is Addiction?

At its core, addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain’s reward system. This reward system provides us pleasure when we engage in activities like eating or having sex. For people with addiction, this reward system becomes dysfunctional; they rely on drugs or alcohol to feel pleasure or reduce stress or anxiety. Over time, this reliance can become an obsession as the brain craves more substances or behavior, whether heroin, fentanyl, alcohol, prescriptions, or eating.

The signs and symptoms of addiction can vary from person to person, but there are some common red flags that you should be aware of if you think someone may be struggling with an addiction:

• Loss of control – using more than intended or for longer than intended

• Withdrawal symptoms – feeling anxious, depressed, or not being able to sleep when not using drugs/alcohol

• Unsuccessful attempts at quitting – trying to quit but not lasting more than a few days/weeks

• Neglecting important obligations – missing work/school due to substance use

• Tolerance – needing more significant amounts over time to feel normal

• Changes in behavior – lying about drug/alcohol use or hiding it from family/friends

• Risky behavior – driving under the influence or engaging in unprotected sex while under the influence