Addiction is a disease that cannot be defined without understanding its source. Many a time, it is closely associated with drugs and alcohol but nevertheless, sources are beyond these. The main cause is the mind-set or thought about a particular pleasure or reward obtained from sex, money, happiness or feeling high. The latter is due to psychoactive substances (drugs/alcohol)
A psychoactive drug is defined by the World Health Organisation as “… Any chemical substance which, when taken into the body, alters its function physically and/or psychologically…. ” (WHO, 1989). Psychoactive drugs (e.g. heroin, cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, Mairungi, caffeine, aviation petrol, nicotine/tobacco, etc.) interact with the brain’s central nervous system (CNS) affecting mental processes and behavior, perceptions of reality, level of alertness, response time, and perception of the world
People experiment with drugs for many different reasons. Most adolescents and youth first try drugs out of curiosity, to have a good time, because friends are doing it, or in an effort to improve performance or ease another problem, such as stress, anxiety, or depression. Drug use doesn’t automatically lead to abuse, and there is no specific level at which drug use moves from its cause to a problem and it varies from individual to individual. Much, if not most, drug use is motivated (at least initially) by the pursuit of pleasure and later progresses to addiction
Drug abuse and addiction is less about the amount of substance consumed or the frequency, and more to do with the consequences of drug use. After repeated drug use, “deciding” to use drugs is no longer voluntary because drugs change the brain due to it impact on the central nervous system (brain reward system). No matter how often or how little you’re consuming, if your drug use is causing problems in your life—at work, school, home, or in your relationships you likely have a drug abuse or addiction problem
At this point, one needs to understand the term addiction. The word “addiction” is derived from a Latin term for “enslaved by” or “bound to.” Anyone who has struggled to overcome an addiction—or has tried to help someone else to do so understands this. It is a complex illness characterized by compulsive (repetitive), and at times, uncontrollable craving (urge), seeking, and use or action that persist even in the face of extremely negative consequences. Many people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to anything especially drugs.
It is often erroneously assumed that those who suffer addiction lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs and repeating addictive acts (like drug abuse, sex, pornography, gambling, internet gaming, shopping, exercising, WhatsApping, face booking, etc) simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will
Simply put, addiction is characterized by Compulsive/ repetitive behavior which is reinforcing (rewarding or is pleasurable) and leads to a loss of control in limiting intake or carrying out the act. In summary, addiction exerts a long and powerful influence on the brain that manifests in three distinct ways: craving for the object of addiction, loss of control over its use, and continued involvement with it despite adverse consequences. If you’re worried about your own or a friend or family member’s drug use, it’s important to know that help is available.