Addiction is often misunderstood. There is a lot of false information perpetuated due to the stigma associated with addiction. Perhaps the only thing that everyone can agree upon about addiction is that there are many opinions about addiction. Is addiction really a disease, or is it a choice? It depends on who you ask. There was a time when society viewed addiction as a choice and saw those struggling with addiction as having no willpower or morality. As time has passed, researchers have defined addiction as a disease, and the stigma around addiction has diminished. At Laguna View Detox, we understand the complexities of addiction, and we’re here to help you get on the road to sobriety.
What Is the Definition of Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. Most people encounter drugs voluntarily and may see their initial use as experimental. However, repeated drug use changes the brain, and more regular use leads to more changes. As you use more drugs more often, it becomes more difficult to stop. Many addiction professionals now rely on the biopsychosocial model of addiction. While it sounds complicated, the biopsychosocial model acknowledges the intersection of biology, your social circumstances, and psychological factors. For example, if you are genetically predisposed to addiction, grew up with parents who abused substances, and have few coping skills, you are more likely to become addicted to drugs if you begin using them. Likewise, someone without those risk factors would be less likely to become addicted. However, this is not a perfect science as there are those without the same risk factors who become addicted.
Is Addiction a Lifelong Battle?
Addiction, like many other diseases, can be thought of as going into remission. The hard part is knowing just when remission occurs. With other diseases such as cancer, a physician can provide a rule such as a certain number of months with no cancer. Addiction is not that simple. Once you are addicted, you are addicted. However, addiction is a disease of mind, body, and spirit. All three must be treated.
Treatment begins with detox to rid the body of the drugs, but your body may experience lingering effects. How long these effects continue depends on which drugs you used and for how long. Treatment for the mind and the body are ongoing. Some would say it’s lifelong to keep your addiction in remission. No one can tell you precisely what long-term sobriety is like and how it will work for you. All we know is the early months are when you build a firm foundation, and then you build onto it forever. All you have to do is not use drugs because there will never come a time when you will stop being addicted. This doesn’t mean that you’ll be thinking about using every day for the remainder of your life. You likely will not. It does mean that there will never come a time when it is safe for you to use drugs.
How Laguna View Detox Can Help You With Addiction
At Laguna View Detox, you will get round the clock professional care for your addiction. As one of the leading private drug rehab centers in Orange County, we provide luxurious, inpatient rehab treatment. With some of the best staff in the industry, we will create a holistic treatment plan individualized to you. We are dedicated to helping you get onto the road to clean and sober. We’ll guide you from detox to inpatient treatment to aftercare in one of the most beautiful areas in California. Contact us today and let us help you with your addiction!