The Stigma Behind Addiction: It’s a Disease, Not a Choice

If you’ve never struggled with addiction, then you may not understand just how insidious it can be. You might think that a person could simply quit cold turkey if they wanted to. Yet the reality is much different, and addiction should be viewed as a disease rather than a choice. The good news is that you or your loved ones can work with local addiction doctors and other relevant professionals to confront and defeat this serious disease.

Addiction Is a Disease

Quitting drugs and alcohol is much easier said than done, especially if the problem is swept under the rug. It’s not just the feelings of euphoria that can fuel addiction. As you consume drugs and alcohol, your body may start to develop physical dependencies on the substances.

Addiction is often treated as a mental health disease and is sometimes referred to as Substance Use Disorder (SUD). However, once physical addiction comes into play (and it often does), addiction becomes a physical disease as well. Mental health conditions on their own are serious and complicated. Physical elements make treatment more complex.

Combined with cravings, physical dependency is very difficult to overcome. It’s not merely a matter of choice anymore, but instead, a serious medical condition that may require medical intervention. Often, to defeat addiction, both the mental and physical components must be addressed at the same time. Fortunately, local addiction doctors can use a variety of medical treatments to reduce both dependency and cravings.

Addiction Is Also an Avalanche

The best time to seek addiction is always today. Yesterday is already gone, so you can’t seek treatment with time that’s already spent. Meanwhile, tomorrow is fast coming, but the longer you wait, the more serious the problem could be. You should strive to treat addiction as fast as possible. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, using opioids for more than three months can increase the risk of addiction 15 times, meaning the clock is ticking.

Fortunately, there is much less stigma today around mental health and addiction treatment. Having the courage to confront addiction is something to be lauded rather than looked down upon. To confront addiction, however, you or your loved ones may need medical assistance. If substance abuse is becoming a problem and you address it quickly, there’s a chance that you can dramatically reduce the risk of addiction. If you or your loved ones are looking for local addiction doctors who can provide medical assistance, get in touch with us here at Peace Medical. We offer services for those in the Fort Lauderdale area.