La adicción es un trastorno cerebral

Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, despite adverse consequences.

La adicción es un trastorno cerebral caracterizado por un compromiso compulsivo en estímulos gratificantes, a pesar de las consecuencias adversas.

Addictions to certain substances or activities can be a chronic, often relapsing brain disease which may cause compulsive substance seeking and use (e.g. alcohol, drugs, nicotine, food) or compulsive activity (e.g. gambling, sexting, sex, porno, internet, shopping, eating) despite harmful consequences to the person who is addicted and those around them. Addiction to these substances or activities can become a brain disease if the abuse leads to changes the brain.

La adicción a ciertas sustancias o actividades puede ser una enfermedad cerebral crónica, a menudo recurrente, que puede causar la búsqueda compulsiva de sustancias y el uso (por ejemplo, alcohol, drogas, nicotina, alimentos) o actividad compulsiva (por ejemplo, juegos de azar, sexting, sexo, comer) a pesar de las consecuencias perjudiciales para la persona que es adicto y los que les rodean. La adicción a estas sustancias o actividades puede convertirse en una enfermedad cerebral si el abuso conduce a cambios en el cerebro.

It’s easy, for instance, for people to recognize when someone is addicted to cocaine. That person has lost the ability to control their drug intake despite harmful consequences to themselves and others. They are addicted, and it is obvious for all to see. Unlike with behavioral addiction.

Addicts, in general, will stubbornly deny they have a problem. Addiction to drugs or alcohol is commonly called “a disease of denial.” Drug addicts in Fellowship meetings will say, “I have a disease that tells me I don’t have a disease.” But denial can be an especially big roadblock to recovery for behavior addicts. Because behavioral addictions involve activities that are a part of normal life, it is easier for sufferers to deny they have crossed a line into the realm of the obsessive and compulsive. They are not using a chemical, so they can rationalize their problem. Because they are not chasing a drug and not waking up in the morning feeling sick from using that drug, it’s too easy for the behavior addict to minimize their difficulties. All in all, a person addicted to a behavior is likely to take some time to admit to having a problem.

Los adictos, en general, obstinadamente niegan que tienen un problema. La adicción a las drogas o el alcohol se denomina comúnmente "una enfermedad de la negación". Los adictos a las drogas en las reuniones de la Comunidad dirán: "Tengo una enfermedad que me dice que no tengo una enfermedad". Pero la negación puede ser un obstáculo especialmente grande para la recuperación para adictos al comportamiento. Debido a que las adicciones conductuales implican actividades que son parte de la vida normal, es más fácil para los enfermos negar que han cruzado una línea en el reino de lo obsesivo y lo compulsivo. No están usando un producto químico, así que pueden racionalizar su problema. Debido a que no están persiguiendo una droga y no despertarse por la mañana sintiéndose enfermo al usar esa droga, es demasiado fácil para el adicto a la conducta minimizar sus dificultades. En general, una persona adicta a un comportamiento es probable que tome algún tiempo para admitir que tiene un problema.

People with an addiction do not have control over what they are doing, taking or using. Their addiction may reach a point at which it is harmful.

Interferes with ordinary responsibilities and concerns, such as work, relationships, or health. People who have developed an addiction may not be aware that their behavior is out of control and causing problems for themselves and others.

Although it is true that for most people the initial decision to take drugs or to engage in certain behaviors is voluntary, over time there can be changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse or possibly repeated behavioral activity which can affect a person’s self control and ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time send impulses to engage in an addictive response. This can change the way one thinks, feels and behaves, and can be daunting.

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