What is Addiction?

Addiction

is a primary, chronic disease of the brain. "Addiction is one of attitudes, personalities, and a general negative outlook on life rooted in fear, insecurity, and low self esteem characterized by obsession, compulsion, and denial." Addiction is a physical and psychological dependence on psychoactive substances which cross the blood - brain barrier once ingested, temporarily altering the chemical milieu of the brain. Just like other chronic diseases addiction can involve cycles of relapse and remission. Addiction is a progressive illness and the ends are always the same: jails, institutions, and death. Addiction does not have to be substance related addiction can apply to many

compulsive behaviors

such as: sex, self harm, eating, shopping, gambling, etc.

"The disease of addiction

can manifest itself in a variety of mental obsessions and compulsive actions that have nothing to do with drugs." Addiction has a pattern of symptoms your symptoms can be treated in recovery, but never will you be cured. The disease of addiction not only destroys the person partaking in the behavior, but also the loved ones around them wherever there is addiction there is still hope. You can be set free and find yourself living a new life if you wish to seek out the help you need.