There is anecdotal evidence, considering reliance on drugs a brain illness. The settlement of the point of drug dependence in general, today becomes one of the solemn responsibilities of our society. However, many medical programs of deliverance from substance addiction are used now, it does not solve a range of issues of not medical nature, but societal, the conceit of which is growing every day.
Alan I. Leshner in his work Addiction Is a Brain Disease, and It Matters, suggests that across the past few decades, scientific accomplishments have indicated that drug dependence is an illness, which occurs as a sequence of durable application of drugs and their effect on the human’s brain. Many researches were conducted to find out exactly how drugs affect the human brain, causing addiction.
One of such methods was the development of a biochemical cascade that would be inside the cell, responsible for the activation of receptors when person taking the drugs. As a result, on the ground of the researches, the conclusions were made about the differences in brain structure of a dependent and nonaddicted person, regardless of the substance, which he or she accepts.
Besides, in terms of studies of each drug, it was found that, although some drugs have a specific effect on the body, they all have general consequence that affect the human brain. Word leaked out that longstanding use of medications of a narcotic nature critically alters brain functions that remain in the same state even after the person’s refusal of drugs. As a result, all these changes in the structure and factions of the brain, causes many scientists to conclude that addiction is a brain disease. It all starts with a voluntary using of drugs for pleasure, and ends with irreversible brain damage and incurable addiction.
Therefore, according to the Alan I. Leshner, one can conclude that drug dependence can be considered as a brain disorder. Moreover, such dependency from drugs does not only affect the brain’s functions, but human behavior as well. So, drug abuse can be viewed as a dangerous social issue, on which people should pay attention. In this case, the addiction treatment must address not only the brain-damaged patient, but also the soul.
Noё asked an interesting question, speaking that drugs, alcoholic drinks and cigarettes have different chemical compound, and as distinct from food and sex, which also can addict people. So, how these absolutely divers things can cause the addiction?
However, it would be much wiser to consider not separately the things that can be addictive, but their immediate effect on the human brain. It is a well-known fact, that drug abuse causes a neurochemical closure in the person’s brain. So, according to this fact, considering it true, scientists should find the decision on curing this very closure.
Therefore, such thing as gambling, hatred, or admiration for oneself can be viewed as a neurological condition. In such a manner, all occupations, which produce the production of dopamine can be considered as addiction. However, such hypothesis seems doubtful.
Consequently, scientists have not disclosed the point, where dependence appears yet. Drug addiction can be easily compared to eating process or other actions, which bring the pleasure. Therefore, everything that can cause the dependence, execute a very indicative failure in the formation of our favors, activities and selections. Under such circumstances, addiction can only be discussed as a personal choice, preference or need of a particular person.
References
Leshner, A. (1997). Addiction Is a Brain Disease, and It Matters. Science, 278(45), 45-47.
Noё, A. (2011). Addiction Is Not A Disease Of The Brain. Retrieved July 16, 2015, from http://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2011/09/09/140307282/addiction-is-not-a-disease-of-the-brain
