A person with an addiction uses a substance, or engages in a behavior, for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeat the activity, despite detrimental consequences. Addiction may involve the use of substances such as alcohol , inhalants, opioids, cocaine, and nicotine, or behaviors such as gambling.
Treatment of Addiction
Substance use is a treatable condition and complete remission is entirely possible. Recovery, however, is often a long-term process that may involve multiple attempts. Relapse is now regarded as part of the process, and effective treatment regimens address prevention and management of recurrent use.
Since success tends not to occur all at once, any improvements are considered important signs of progress. Increasingly, programs are available to help those who recognize that they have a substance-use problem but are not ready for complete abstinence.
Because addiction affects so many facets of an individual’s functioning—from the ability to tolerate frustration to establishing and maintaining a productive role in society—good treatment focuses on many dimensions of life, including family roles and work skills as well as mental health.
Treatment can include any of a number of components, which are often deployed in combination and are likely to change over the course of recovery:
Explore More About Addiction
For a comprehensive understanding of addiction, read our complete guide: