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Is Addiction Really a Disease? Rethinking Recovery Through Connection and Compassion
Let’s explore practical steps and insights to support your loved one’s journey.
When addiction enters a family’s life, it often feels like a storm tearing through everything once stable and safe. Parents and loved ones wrestle with questions like, Why can’t they just stop? Is this my fault? Is addiction something they’ll struggle with forever? These are difficult questions, and the answers can shape how families approach recovery.
For decades, the prevailing belief in the addiction field has been the “brain disease” model, which frames addiction as a chronic condition rooted in neurological changes. While this perspective has brought some progress, it’s not the whole picture. The truth is more complex — and, in many ways, more hopeful. Recovery isn’t just about managing a “disease.” It’s about healing relationships, rebuilding trust, and creating a life worth living. Let’s explore how this more holistic view of addiction can transform your family’s journey.
What Does the Brain Disease Model Say?
The brain disease model defines addiction as a chronic and relapsing condition caused by changes in the brain’s reward system. It…
