Family Programming Passport: Disease of Addiction

Addiction is defined as the ongoing use of mood-altering substances, such as alcohol and drugs, despite adverse consequences.

A Disease is when an organ in the body is not functioning properly. The organ effected by addiction is the brain. Advances in neuroscience have helped us to understand how drugs and alcohol affect the brain, leading to the recognition that addiction is a chronic brain disorder. Substance addiction is proven to disrupt the neurological pathways of pleasure within the brain. The disease model of addiction has been a profound breakthrough in reducing the stigma that addiction is a moral failing, and it brings hope and a deeper understanding to those who suffer with the disease, and you, their loved ones.

We will be taking a brief look at how addiction affects the brain. If you would like to learn more about the disease of addiction, from a medical professional, you can access Dr. Geisler’s video on You Tube, or from a variety of websites found on your preferred browser.

In addition, substance use disorder is considered a family disease. Learn how the whole family plays a role and is impacted.