Dr. Ahmad Abul Moniem, a consultant in family medicine, defines addiction as a chronic neurological disorder involving many brain functions, most notably a devastating imbalance in the so-called reward circuitry. He said the fundamental impairment in the experience of pleasure literally compels the addict to chase the chemical highs produced by substances like drugs and alcohol and obsessive behavior like sex, food and gambling. Dr. Muhammad Al-Zahrani, a health consultant, said the modern psychological concept for drug addiction is the chronic or habitual use of any substance to alter states of body or mind for other than medically warranted purposes. He added that drug addiction starts with smoking cigarettes; the smoker's body gets used to the nicotine substance thus it reaches the stage of intoxication. “This explains why the smoker can't easily quit the habit because the body and mind get used to it. It should also be understood that a user reaches only the stage of addiction when part of the narcotic whether it is nicotine or other narcotic substances remains in the body,” he said. Al-Zahrani said few people are able to use recreational or prescription drugs without ever experiencing negative consequences of addiction. For many others, substance use can cause problems at work, home, and school and in relationships, leaving people isolated, helpless, or ashamed. Addiction is a complex disorder characterized by compulsive drug use, while each produces different physical effects; all abused substances share one thing in common in that repeated use can alter the way the brain looks and functions. He added there are warning signs of teen drug abuse pointing that while experimenting with drugs does not automatically lead to drug abuse, early use is a risk factor for developing more serious drug abuse which magnifies during times of transition such as changing schools, moving or divorce. The challenge for parents is to distinguish between the normal and volatile ups and downs of the teen. He said support is essential for addiction-recovery, pointing that recognizing that there is a problem is the first step on the road of recovery, one that takes tremendous courage and strength. Facing your addiction without minimizing the problem or making excuses can feel frightening and overwhelming, but recovery is possible. If you are ready to make a change and willing to seek help, you can overcome your addiction and build a satisfying, drug free life for yourself. __
