Redefining Addiction: A Neuro/ Biological Disorder

By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

What do Rob Lowe, Nicole Richie and Demi Lovato have in common? They all have struggled with addiction(s) and are now in long-term recovery, providing inspiring examples of how sustained recovery is possible. The message that recovery can happen is one of the main points in the 428-page landmark report on addiction recently released by the surgeon general.

Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health is the first report on addiction from a surgeon general, and it’s meant to change the conversation around this public-health issue.

• Seventy-eight people die every day in the United States from an opioid overdose (heroin, OxyContin, etc.).

• Over 66 million Americans (nearly a quarter of all adults and adolescents) report binge drinking in the past month.

• Only one in five people who currently needs treatment for opioiduse disorders is actually receiving it. Overall, only one in 10 people struggling with any addiction receives treatment required.

Addiction: A Treatable Chronic Brain Disease

The report stresses that winning the battle against addiction must start with an attitude change. Too many people consider addiction a moral failing, when in reality it’s a chronic disease of the brain. We saw this disconnect when The Dr. Oz Show and Today conducted a survey of over 1,000 men this fall. About half said that they have friends with addiction problems—and that people addicted to drugs had poor self-control. This was a vivid example of how, despite current scientific knowledge about treating addiction diseases, so many of you don’t yet accept that it is a medical condition.

What Goes On In The Brain Of An Addict?

Chronic use of alcohol or drugs makes changes in various brain areas where neurons cluster (basal ganglia), reward perception is processed (extended amygdala) and problem-solving, complex thoughts and emotions happen (prefrontal cortex). This alters brain systems influencing learning, stress response, decisionmaking, self-control and pleasure. That’s why addiction entices a person to continue using an addictive substance despite its negative effects on health and well-being—and why relapse can happen long after discontinuing the use of the substance.

What You Can Do To Help?

Keeping the next generation from facing the challenges of addiction is a great place to start. Kids who have good relationships with their parents, live in a safe environment and have honest conversations are less likely to use drugs.

• Have family dinners. Research shows that just sitting down regularly to a family dinner reduces the risk of childhood drug abuse by 50 percent. This is important, because nine out of 10 people with substance-abuse problems started using alcohol or drugs before the age of 18.

• Use this guide. To help you make sure your children feel safe talking with you about alcohol and drugs, The Dr. Oz Show worked with the government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to create a guide, based on the findings of the surgeon general’s report, called Facing Addiction Over Dinner. Download it at doctoroz.com/page/facing-addiction-discussion-guide

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