by Darrin A Yarbrough

Created on: March 01, 2009

"Addiction is a primary, progressive, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and can sometimes be fatal. It is characterized by impaired control over use of the substance, preoccupation with the substance, use of the substance despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction

Many factors contribute to addictive behavior. From a psychiatric standpoint, the belief is that addictive behavior stems from chemical imbalances in the brain that cause the addict to engage in "drug seeking" behavior attempting to self-medicate in order to restore balance within the brain. While there is no empirical evidence to support the chemical imbalance, there is an incomplete understanding as to why certain individuals will choose to engage in addictive behavior while others will not.

Studies have shown that mental afflictions such as bipolar disorder, ADHD, and ADD have a connection with "drug seeking" behavior. These psychological disorders tend to stem from deficiencies in the brains chemical nerve receptors. Drugs that inhibit the production of Serotonin, nor epinephrine, nor adrenaline, Dopamine, and GABA, tend to facilitate an improvement in the behavioral symptoms of the patient.

Recent studies have shown a clinical connection with afflictions such as ADD, ADHD, and Bipolar Disorder and the tendency for such patients to self-medicate in order to alleviate the symptoms of their condition. Alcoholism, nicotine, addiction to narcotics, cocaine, amphetamines, and related drugs tend to alleviate the symptoms these patients experience.

While there is no direct evidence showing chemical imbalances in the brain cause the symptoms related to these conditions, the disease model for treatment is proven effective for the rehabilitation of patients suffering from the disorders. Statistically, there are higher incidents of patients with these disorders given to engage in "drug seeking" behavior.

The fact that the substances chosen for abuse directly affect the chemical receptors in the brain in a manner similar to the way that SSRI's, and DRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and dopamine reuptake inhibitors) interact tends to support theories that there are deficiencies in these chemicals in the patient's brain.

The alternative that certain members of the populace are simply "fiends" who relentlessly seek to engage in "drug

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