Facts on Why Addiction Isn’t a Choice
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “Addiction is a biopsychosocial disease process, not a choice.” In fact, in 1956, the American Medical Association designated alcoholism as an illness, and in 1987, classified addiction as a disease.
Yet all these decades later, many individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD) still face damaging stigmas about their condition. For example, some people believe that if a person only had enough willpower, they would simply stop substance misuse. But the facts are more complicated than that.
5 Key Facts About AUD and SUD
Addiction is a complex, multifaceted brain disease. While it’s true that someone initially chooses to use alcohol or drugs, whether they develop a disorder extends far beyond a simple decision. To fully understand AUD and SUD involves taking a closer look at various scientific perspectives.
- Genetic Predisposition
Research indicates that genetics play a significant role in addiction susceptibility. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicates that “scientists estimate that genes, including the effects environmental factors have on a person’s gene expression, called epigenetics, account for between 40 and 60 percent of a person’s risk of addiction.”
These genetic variations influence how individuals metabolize substances, their response to drugs, and their vulnerability to addiction. Additionally, certain genetic profiles may make individuals more sensitive to the rewarding effects of substances, increasing the likelihood of repeated use and potential addiction.
- Neurobiological Changes
Addiction leads to significant alterations in brain structure and function, particularly in areas responsible for reward, motivation, and decision-making. The mesolimbic dopamine system, often referred to as the brain’s reward system, is heavily involved in the development of AUD and SUD. Yale Medicine reports that “the brain remembers this surge and associates it with the addictive substance. However, with chronic use of the substance, over time the brain’s circuits adapt and become less sensitive to dopamine. Achieving that pleasurable sensation becomes increasingly important.”
Once someone reaches this stage, they require more of a substance to achieve the same effect. These neurobiological changes impair their ability to make rational decisions and control substance use, despite negative consequences.
- Environmental Influences
Environmental factors significantly contribute to the development of addiction. The NIDA notes that key risk factors—including exposure to substances at an early age, living in environments where substance use is prevalent, and experiencing socioeconomic stressors—increase the risk of someone developing AUD or SUD after repeated alcohol or drug use.
For example, children raised in households where substance use is normalized may be more likely to adopt similar behaviors creating family cycles of addiction across generations.
- Psychological Factors
Psychological elements such as trauma, stress, and mental health disorders are closely linked to SUD and AUD. Individuals who experience traumatic events, especially in childhood, may turn to substances as a coping mechanism to manage emotional pain.
Additionally, conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD increase the risk of substance use as individuals seek relief from their symptoms. This self-medication often leads to dependence and co-occurring disorders over time.
- Impaired Decision-Making
The Partnership to End Addiction reports that “addiction interferes with parts of the brain that are responsible for reward, motivation, learning, judgment and memory.” Damage to areas such as the prefrontal cortex results in a diminished ability to make sound judgments, leading individuals suffering from AUD and SUD to prioritize immediate gratification over long-term well-being. This impairment makes it challenging for them to resist urges and maintain control over substance use, even when they’re aware of the potential harm and other consequences.
Choose To Heal at Seabrook
As you can see, addiction isn’t a simple matter of choice. Rather, it’s a complex combination of genetic, neurobiological, environmental, and psychological factors. Recognizing substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder as chronic diseases is crucial for encouraging people to seek out individualized treatment and recovery support systems.
One thing is clear about AUD and SUD: you’re in complete control to choose wellness. While these conditions aren’t curable, they’re certainly manageable. Therapeutic interventions help you retrain your brain, improving decision-making and impulse control. You’ll also learn strategies to regulate emotions, reduce cravings, and reestablish healthier patterns of thinking.
If you’re ready to begin healing, we invite you or a family member to consider Seabrook. Our four award-winning treatment centers in New Jersey are CARF-accredited facilities—a designation that ensures best practices in evidence-based addiction recovery and behavioral health. Our board-certified medical professionals follow The Seabrook Model of customized care that provides evidence-based treatment with holistic wellness services to encourage a lifetime of wellness. Please reach out to our admissions team to learn how we can help.
