Breaking the Cycle of Addcition

Can the Cycle of Addiction be Broken? Addiction is now defined as a brain disease due to the changes it has on the brains structure and functions with continual use. The essence of addiction is the uncontrollable, compulsive drug or behavior craving, seeking and use in disregard to the negative consequences it might have on one’s health and social status (Leshner, 2001 ). The disease, addiction, disturbs the areas of the brain that is in charge of regulating and managing emotional, cognitive, and social behaviors. The body has its own particular system that maintains biological homeostasis; this system regulates the chemicals in the body and brain to maintain balance. When outside psychoactive drugs are introduced it changes the chemical balance and disturbs the “homeostatic system of craving and satiation for the biological functions necessary to sustain life, e.g. Hunger, thirst, sex, and sleep”(Smith D. , 2012). Addiction alters the likely progression so that the craving and focus is on drugs rather than the natural life sustaining process(Smith D. , 2012).
Genetically influenced addicts are identifiable by their peculiar reaction to addictive materials that produce hyper secretion of dopamine in the reward pathway of the brain(Smith D. , 2012). Melemis discusses a study that reveals children of addicts are 8 times more likely to develop an addiction, genetics affect the variability to susceptibility by 50-60%. It has been proven that prevention of drug use, or abstinence, is the best strategy for remaining addiction free. An addict that is predisposed and has children who are predisposed can impact the future of their children by remaining abstinent from drugs, providing a safe environment, talking with their children and being honest with themselves and their loved ones (Adult Children of Alcoholics, 2012). The information presented in this paper will discuss how an addict or one that comes from a family of addicts can successfully regain their life

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