Legacy Healing Center Addiction Resources

What Is Addiction?

Addiction is a disease formally recognized by the American Medical Association, affecting more than 20 million Americans. While it is a chronic disease, it can be successfully managed through treatment. It is characterized by compulsive seeking of a substance or activity, even to the detriment of other life functions or responsibilities. At our Florida drug rehab, we recognize that addiction is not limited to individuals. It is a family disease with long-term effects.

DEFINITION

The American Society of Addictive Medicine offers the following definition of addiction:

Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.