Addiction: The Misunderstood Chronic Condition
- Scraper
- Apr 16
- 4 min read
Updated: May 27
Yes, addiction is a chronic condition, not a moral failing. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long lasting changes in the brain.
But even with that defination out in the world, most people still think of addiction as a character flaw. We live in a society that praises hustle culture but shames people for struggling with substances. Why? because it's easier to blame the individual than interrogate the environment.
Just Stop Using and Other Useless Advices
People who don't want to understand addiction never will, no matter how many awareness campaigns you throw at them. This might be the core issue: Addiction isn't the enemy. The enemy is the system that fuels it, the environments that enable it, and the stigma that silences it.
"Addiction is not about drugs, it's about connection," said author Johann Hari in his viral TED Talk, it's a symptom, not the root cause. So why do we still act like the drug is the villian and not the pain that made someone reach for it?
A Society Obsessed with Control
From gossip to hyper curated instagram feeds, society is obsessed with control and performance. Addiction is often a response to chaos, a way to reclaim some sense of agency in a world that constantly spins out.
It's not just about illegal substances. Let's talk about the more palatable addictions, alcohol, caffeine, TikTok scrolling, and burnout worship. American Psychiatric Association notes that behavioural addictions can be just as damaging and yet we only stigmatize what we choose not to normalize. You see it in the difference between a prescription pill for anxiety vs. someone self medicating on the street.
Aestheticizing Rock Bottom
you've seen it. The filters, the sad boi music. There's a dark glamorization of trauma online and addiction becomes part of that narrative, reduced to a tragic aesthetic. Yet, the real cost? In 2023, more than 110k people died from drug overdoses in the US, according to the CDC. That's more than car crashes.
What's Not Admitted
People are quick to call out addiction but slow to look at why it thrives:
Lack of access to mental health support
Societal isolation and loneliness
Financial despair and job insecurity.
Unresolved trauma
According to SAMHSA, over 9 million adults in the US have both a mental health and substance use disorder. Dual diagnosis is real, and treation addiction in isolation doesn't work.
Holistic Recovery Enters The Chat
Alpha Healing Center, a treatment facility in India that sees the whole human, not just the habit. They focus on evidence based, integrative healing. Including yoga, expressive arts, CBT, and trauma focused therapy. Book a experience with them for free at envisionarchive.com
The idea is simple: treat the person, not just the addiction. because recovery isn't just about sobriety, its about restoration. Alpha Healing Center allows individuals to reconnect with themselves, build healthy community and unlock their potential. Think of it like leveling up in a game, only this time; its your life.
Why Don't They Just Get Help?
Let's talk privilege, asking 'why don't they just go to rehab? is like asking 'why don't people just stop being poor? Treatment is expensive. Access is limited. Stigma is everywhere, recovery isn't a one size fits all.
and even when help is available, there's fear. Fear of judgement, of being labeled, of losing everything. That's why places like Alpha Healing Center matter. They offer, confidential, compassionate, and customized care. In a setting designed to heal.
Addiction In The Age Of Algorithms
If you think platforms are the problem, think again. The platforms reflect society, and society is addicted to drama, outrage, and instant gratification. The dopamine loop isn’t just in drug use, it’s in every ping, like, swipe, and stream.
As The New York Times explored, digital addiction mirrors the neurological impact of substance use. So maybe we’re all dealing with addiction. Just... differently.
What Actually Helps
Community support - Peer reviewed evidence
Mindfulness practices - NIH-backed research
Holistic healing - Frontiers in Psychology
Trauma informed therapy - SAMHSA guide
Accountability without shame
And maybe most importantly willingness. Not just from the person struggling, but from the system meant to help them.
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Addiction isn’t the enemy. It’s the alarm bell. The body and mind crying out for change, for connection, for something more.
In the words of author Glennon Doyle: “The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety—it’s connection.”
So maybe the question isn’t how do we fight addiction, but: How do we listen to what it’s trying to tell us?
Want to start your recovery journey or support someone else’s?
Explore Alpha Healing Center, a place where healing isn’t just possible, it's personalized.
Resources:
Public Opinion on Addictions - Karlyn Bowman
Women Aged 30-39 - Lives of substance
Branch MN. Drug addiction. Is it a disease or is it based on choice? A review of Gene Heyman's Addiction: A disorder of choice. J Exp Anal Behav. 2011 Mar;95(2):263–7. doi: 10.1901/jeab.2011.95-263. PMCID: PMC3047254.
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Understanding Stigma of Mental and Substance Use Disorders - NCI
“I walked through Recovery’s door”: Margaret’s story of fighting drug addiction after prison - WHO
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