Addiction comes in many forms, Facebook chats, shopping, TV, gambling, collecting things, you name it.
I believe that humans have the ability to make anything an addiction.
We are so immoderate! Alcohol and drug use are the behaviors that we most associate with addiction.
Those are the ones that have created the most chaos in lives throughout the world.
But the reason for all addiction is pretty much the same everywhere.
We need to feel good.
It is our intrinsic need.
And it's meant to be that way.
And I don't mean it on a superficial level as in the weather is bad and I don't feel good.
I mean it on a much deeper level, in our very being.
Anyone who has experienced it knows what I am talking about.
Often this feeling comes from having been born with a learning disability or syndrome.
A few examples are ADHD, dyslexia, bipolar disorder or depression.
Sometimes, an early childhood trauma can create an imbalance.
Our brain creates a neuro pathway to protect us.
Whatever the reason, we are missing an important component that produces just the right chemical in our brain to keep us balanced in our feelings.
We are meant to have balanced brains.
Throughout most of the last century, scientists have been dealing with myths and misconceptions about the nature of addictions.
It was thought, when scientists first started studying addiction, that people who were addicted were lacking in willpower and morally flawed.
Society followed suit, treating addiction as a moral failing as opposed to a health problem.
Small steps have been taken and views of drug abuse are changing.
Our understanding of drug addiction has dramatically changed with the advent of groundbreaking discoveries about the brain.
As a result of this scientific research, we now know that drug addiction is a disease that affects both the brain and behavior.
Science is beginning to identify many of the biological and environmental factors as well as genetic variations that contribute to the onset and progression the disease.
Despite the advances in addiction research, many people don't understand why people become addicted and how drugs change the brain to foster compulsive abuse.
As well it is not understood yet why some people become addicted and some don't.
Much more research is needed to find the definitive answer (if there is one) as well as a plan to educate and find ways to help people to find their way back to health.
It is a problem that affects all of society.
There is hardly a person on the planet that is not affected by addiction either directly or indirectly.