What Is Addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by behavior that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to engage in a behavior is voluntary for most people, but repeated engagement can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to engage in that behavior. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease—people in recovery from substance use disorders, gambling or other compulsive behaviors are at increased risk for returning to that behavior even after years of abstain. It is like muscle memory, you may not engage in the same level imminently upon return but it quickly returns.

Often a person will relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn’t work. As with other chronic health conditions, addiction treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing needs.

Modified from the National Institute on Drug Abuse

 Can addiction be cured or prevented?

As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for addiction generally isn’t a cure. However, addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. People who are recovering from an addiction will be at risk for relapse for years and possibly for their whole lives. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medicines with behavioral therapy ensures the best chance of success for most patients. Treatment approaches tailored to each patient and any co-occurring medical, mental, and social problems can lead to continued recovery.

Modified from the National Institute on Drug Abuse