Are You Suffering From Addiction?

Many researchers believe that addiction is a behavior that can be controlled to some extent and also a brain disease. And since some testing with functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) found that all addictions tend to cause nearly the same reactions inside the brain, there could be one type of control model for addiction health-related issues.

Others express the opinion that some of us have an addictive personality and therefore are more likely to have problems than others.

In other words, just as there is one disorder or disease labeled asthma, there would be one for addiction, covering all addictions; gambling, smoking, overeating, drugs, etc. Then one main treatment strategy or plan could be used to treat all addictions.

How addiction works in a nutshell is like this. The brain, the center of the body's nervous system, handles addiction by increasing dopamine levels in response to increased reactions from behaviors, also referred to as compulsions, like gambling or over eating, and / or in response to increased repeated episodes of substance abuse, like from cocaine or alcohol.

And this addiction affects the three functioning processes of the nervous system; sensing, perceiving and reacting. How? Let's take a quick peak?

Dopamine, the chemical transmitter to the "pleasure center," the place where survival instincts like eating and reproduction focus in the brain, activates cells individually or energizes them. Each energized cell in turn energizes another cell, and so on down the line, resulting in a spontaneous process of ecstasy or feelings of elation.

The problem is the brain doesn't realize what it is that is causing the ecstasy reaction. So when this flutter of activity increases the creation of dopamine for the negative behaviors and substances like drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc., it neglects the natural survival instinct reaction mechanisms, replacing them with the ecstasy instead.

Depending upon the addiction, nervous system functions are altered. So sensing, perceiving and reacting functions of individuals are impeded. For example, alcohol is a depressant and slows down all of these functions. So a drunk driver facing an immediate collision will in all likelihood react slower than a healthy, alert driver.

And whether or not the addictive substances are inhaled, going into the lung system; or injected, traveling via the blood system; or swallowed, entering the digestive system, also affects different bodily reactions, responses and overall health.

One long-term effect is an increased tolerance level with dopamine reaching out into other brain areas that cloud judgment and behavioral considerations and choices. And ultimately depression results, even amidst opposing or negative stimuli, like the negative effects of narcotics on behaviors and on the body / mind and like trying to withdrawal or discontinue use.

Other long-term effects can include changing of the brain's shape and possible permanent brain damage, depending upon the addiction and length of compulsive activity. And other health problems like cancer from cigarette smoking can result.

Addiction summed up is: compulsive behavior despite negative consequences.

For more related information visit: http://www.AnxietyAttacksCure.com - a site that offers advice for avoiding, coping with anxiety and panic attacks. Get professional knowledge on dealing with symptoms, drug side effects and improving your life!

---

A Guide to Arthritis Pain Relief

In a recent survey on pain conducted by the Stanford... Read More

Joint Pain Relief

If you joints are constantly killing you, here are three... Read More

The Trouble with Tranqs

There's a whole group of drugs out there called benzodiazepines.They... Read More

Can You Always Trust Your Dentists Recommendations?

Can you always trust your dentists' recommendations? Think for yourself... Read More

Lipitor Lawyer: Statin Drugs Cause Muscle Damage in 98%

Doctors have been encouraged to prescribe the cholesterol-lowering drugs called... Read More

Mend Your Arthritis Pain Relief

GET TO KNOW YOUR ARTHRITISArthritis is referred to as the... Read More

Redux Lawyer Discusses Fen-Phen Fad

In the early nineties, Redux was the original miracle diet... Read More

What is Going On With Pharmacies in Canada

There is a large amount of talk lately in regard... Read More

Drug Interactions: Five Common Dangerous Interactions You Should Know About

Prescription drugs can save your life. But interactions between prescription... Read More

Relafen: A New Drug with an Old Danger

Individuals who regularly take Relafen (nabumetone) or other anti-inflammatory medications,... Read More

Technology Over Drugs for Stress Related Tension Disorders

As much as 95% of the population suffers from some... Read More

What is Bextra? (FDA Recalled Drug)

Bextra, also known as valdecoxib, is a prescribed medication used... Read More

The Pharmaceutical Drug Cartel and the FDA

According to the Los Angeles Times, the California Association of... Read More

Top Ten Reasons Why We Hate IBS!

Irritable bowel syndrome can be a nightmare?constant diarrhea and terrible... Read More

Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness

As a physician specializing in psychiatry, I know that many... Read More

Sinusitis: Sinus Infection Deals a Corporate KO

Sinusitis and Sinus Infection Starts with a Little SniffleYes, I... Read More

What Not to Tell Your Doctor?

For many years since medicine has been established as an... Read More

High Cholesterol Prescription Medications Can Kill You

The World Health Organization declares that heart disease is the... Read More

The Top Seven Myths About Arthritis

Myth #1: "Nothing can be done about arthritis..."You don't have... Read More

Who Else Wants General Information on Arthritis?

Today there are about 70 million Americans with arthritis?that's one... Read More

?Doc, my mouth is so dry all the time. What could be the problem??

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder ? a disorder in... Read More

New Surgical Treatment Options for Hernias

Hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgical... Read More

Low Blood Pressure ? Why is Your Blood Pressure Low?

Why is your blood pressure low?As a doctor with an... Read More

Overview of FDA Recalled Drug - BEXTRA

Bextra, also known as valdecoxib, is a... Read More

Chronic Head, Facial, Or Neck Pain That Won?t Go Away - Could It Be TMJ?

I stumbled across TMJ when I needed treat a literal... Read More

Zyprexa Lawsuits

Zyprexa is an antipsychotic medication that works by changing the... Read More

VIOXX Lawsuits

Vioxx is a prescription medication that has been used primarily... Read More

Diagnosis and Treatments of Cerebral Palsy

Before a child can be appropriately diagnosed with cerebral palsy,... Read More

Antibiotics and Bowel Flora

The word Antibiotic is constructed from Greek words anti, which... Read More

The True Meaning of Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is a type of therapeutic practice that is... Read More

Parasites In Your Colon

Your colon is a place for other parasites and organisms... Read More

Prevent Foot Problems When Walking

Americans are on the go. According to a NSGA Survey,... Read More

Dr. Will Horsley, M.D.

Dr. Horsley is Cornea fellowship trained and Lasik board certified... Read More