5 Definitions of Addiction
A biopsychosocial disorder, characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences. A primary, chronic disease of brain reward, not the result of other situations. A condition in which a person is unable to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior. A chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug or behavior seeking. A treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences.
Addiction as a Clinical Syndrome
Well, there you have it. Five clear, concise definitions of Addiction. Now you know what it is. No need to go further. Complex interactions among brain circuits? Come on, Really? Compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli. No way. The fact is these five definitions come from highly respected organizations such as the American Society of Addiction Medicine, The Betty Ford Clinic, and Medical News Today. Addiction is accepted as a mental illness in the current diagnostic nomenclature. It is now considered a clinical syndrome. If you think wearing masks is controversial, just get into a conversation with someone who “just stopped drinking or drugging” and tell them addiction is a disease. You better wear your earmuffs and have the 25 cent jar ready for the cuss words. It will be on!!
Alcohol and Addiction
I have spoken before about the Mu, Kappa, and Delta receptors in the brain that we know scientifically are affected by certain drugs and alcohol. The ICD-10 coding includes diagnoses of harmful use of any substance, including alcohol. Harmful alcohol use is defined as over 28 drinks per week for men and over 14 drinks per week for women! And here I thought we were in the age of equality! Some of you reading this better stop your weekend parties.
What Drug Testing Is… and What it Isn’t
Okay, yes I am infusing humor into a very serious matter. Those of you who know my personal story, regarding my 25-year-old nephew dying of a heroin overdose realize I take this seriously. As a lab that has a toxicology department where we test for many different drugs, I have spoken many times about what the purpose of drug testing is and more importantly, what it is not. Testing a person’s urine to determine what chemical may be in it is done NOT to catch a patient doing something wrong, but to help them with what is now universally considered a medical condition. Yes, there is a stigma associated with the use of drugs, both legally and illegally. This does not remove the fact that there is scientific evidence that a chemical reaction occurs in a section of the population, which has the potential to create addicts. This is the reason for appropriate drug testing. This is the reason for continuing education on the effects of legal, and beneficial drugs when introduced to the human body. We should never stop learning. By the way, you can teach an old dog new tricks. I know. I train a lab.
Thanks to all of you for your trust in ILDP.
President/CEO Industry Lab Diagnostic Partners