Data released by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) for 2021 revealed that 16.5% of the U.S. population (more than 46 million people) met the criteria for having a substance use disorder (SUD), also called addiction, in the past year. Of those 46 million people, the data further classified 29.5 million people as having an alcohol use disorder and 24 million as having a drug use disorder.
Addiction impacts millions of people in the U.S. and throughout the world. The chances are high that it has or will impact all of us at some time in our lives, either directly or through the experience of a loved one. And while there are an abundance of treatments and support systems available, addiction can still be hard to overcome. The purpose of this blog post is to explain what addiction is and just why addiction is so hard to overcome.
What Is Addiction?
Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease that causes a person to take drugs repeatedly despite the harm they cause. Because the changes from addiction can be lasting for the brain, addiction is considered a “relapsing” disease–something that keeps people in recovery at risk for substance use, even years after quitting them.
Dr. George Koob, director of NIH’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, said, “A common misperception is that addiction is a choice or moral problem, and all you have to do is stop. But nothing could be further from the truth.” Through addiction, the brain actually changes or rewires its reward system, leading individuals to crave those substances that release dopamine. Dopamine is a naturally occurring “feel good” neurotransmitter in the body that plays a role in learning, sleep, our mood, and more. However, addictive drugs can cause dopamine to flood the brain’s reward pathway, perhaps as much as ten times the amount. The brain remembers this feeling and associates it with the substance, making it easier to want to repeat use. Over time, a person’s tolerance for the substance can increase, and dependence can develop. This can quickly evolve into a very difficult cycle that becomes harder and harder to break.
Addiction is Hard to Overcome Because of Psychological, Emotional, and Social Factors
Another reason why addiction is so hard to overcome is the psychological, emotional, and social factors at play. Many people use substances as a coping mechanism for events in life or for underlying mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more. When a person is experiencing a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time, this is known as a dual diagnosis.
Environmental cues can also be triggers for cravings. Examples include physical places, people, or emotions that might cause a craving and could make relapse more likely. Emotions such as shame and guilt can be isolating for people experiencing addiction. Unfortunately, much stigma exists in communities and even within families. This could lead to continued substance use as a form of “self-soothing.” The fear of withdrawal and the physical or emotional discomfort that can come with withdrawal might be significant enough to keep a person using substances to avoid having to go through that pain.
From a social perspective, addiction can be hard to overcome if a person does not have strong family or community support. A consequence of this might be limited access to affordable treatment options or facilities or having to return to an environment where substance use is common, increasing the likelihood of relapse. Peer pressure and the fear of social isolation can also negatively contribute to a person’s ability to overcome addiction.
Professional Support Can Help Overcome Addiction
Addiction can be hard to overcome because it is a chronic brain disease negatively influenced by several factors, including psychological, emotional, and social pressures. It is a cycle that can loop on repeat and be very challenging to break.
However, it is entirely possible to achieve long-term recovery and lasting sobriety. Professional support and treatment can help you or a loved one get started on the right path. Drug rehab programs offer services to overcome addiction no matter where a person is in their journey, from detox to inpatient rehab to outpatient rehab and ongoing therapy.At Pinnacle Detox & Recovery, we provide a comprehensive, personalized approach to addiction treatment. We believe true recovery is not only helping clients overcome addiction but also helping them live their best lives. If you want to learn more or discuss your recovery journey, we hope you will contact us today. We are here to support you every step of the way.