Skip to content

READ ABOUT OUR CLINICAL OUTCOME STUDY

Enrollment:   866.457.7590
Facebook page opens in new windowTwitter page opens in new windowLinkedin page opens in new windowYouTube page opens in new windowInstagram page opens in new window
Search:
Red Oak Recovery
Young Adult Rehab in North Carolina
Red Oak Recovery
  • About Us
    • Treatment Plan
    • Therapeutic Outcome Study
    • Testimonials
    • Campus Team
      • Leadership Team
      • Clinical Team
      • Treatment Staff
      • Operations Team
      • Holistic Services
      • Culinary Nutritional Arts
      • Administration
      • Medical Team
      • Enrollment and Marketing Team
    • What To Look For In A Treatment Center
  • Addiction Treatment Programs
    • Men’s Rehab Program
    • Women’s Rehab Program
      • Women’s Substance Use Treatment
    • Adolescent Treatment Program
    • Addiction Therapy Services
      • Adventure Therapy
      • Behavioral Therapy
      • Nutritional Therapy
      • Experiential Therapy
      • Group Therapy
      • Trauma Therapy
      • Psychotherapy
      • Wilderness Therapy
      • Recovery Management
    • Family Services
      • Family Therapy
      • Family Therapy Program
      • Family Counseling
    • Individual Counseling
    • Clinical Rehabilitation
    • 12 Step Addiction Recovery
    • What Is Holistic Therapy?
    • Dual Diagnosis Treatment
    • Alcohol Rehab Program
    • Heroin Rehab Program
  • Young Adult Rehab Programs
    • Grief Counseling
    • Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment
      • Co-Occurring Disorders and Dual Diagnosis Treatment
    • Disordered Eating Treatment
    • Mental Health Treatment
    • Anxiety Treatment Program
    • Depression Treatment Center
    • Trauma Treatment
    • Family Program
    • Drug Addiction Treatment
      • Meth Addiction Treatment
      • Cocaine Addiction Treatment
      • Heroin Addiction Treatment
      • Xanax Addiction Treatment
      • Marijuana Addiction Treatment
  • Enrollment
    • Client Application Form
    • Insurance Policies
    • Insurance Verification
    • Referring Professionals
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Photo Video Tour
  • Careers
  • About Us
    • Treatment Plan
    • Therapeutic Outcome Study
    • Testimonials
    • Campus Team
      • Leadership Team
      • Clinical Team
      • Treatment Staff
      • Operations Team
      • Holistic Services
      • Culinary Nutritional Arts
      • Administration
      • Medical Team
      • Enrollment and Marketing Team
    • What To Look For In A Treatment Center
  • Addiction Treatment Programs
    • Men’s Rehab Program
    • Women’s Rehab Program
      • Women’s Substance Use Treatment
    • Adolescent Treatment Program
    • Addiction Therapy Services
      • Adventure Therapy
      • Behavioral Therapy
      • Nutritional Therapy
      • Experiential Therapy
      • Group Therapy
      • Trauma Therapy
      • Psychotherapy
      • Wilderness Therapy
      • Recovery Management
    • Family Services
      • Family Therapy
      • Family Therapy Program
      • Family Counseling
    • Individual Counseling
    • Clinical Rehabilitation
    • 12 Step Addiction Recovery
    • What Is Holistic Therapy?
    • Dual Diagnosis Treatment
    • Alcohol Rehab Program
    • Heroin Rehab Program
  • Young Adult Rehab Programs
    • Grief Counseling
    • Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment
      • Co-Occurring Disorders and Dual Diagnosis Treatment
    • Disordered Eating Treatment
    • Mental Health Treatment
    • Anxiety Treatment Program
    • Depression Treatment Center
    • Trauma Treatment
    • Family Program
    • Drug Addiction Treatment
      • Meth Addiction Treatment
      • Cocaine Addiction Treatment
      • Heroin Addiction Treatment
      • Xanax Addiction Treatment
      • Marijuana Addiction Treatment
  • Enrollment
    • Client Application Form
    • Insurance Policies
    • Insurance Verification
    • Referring Professionals
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Photo Video Tour
  • Careers

How Do We Know Addiction Is a Disease?

You are here:
  1. Home
  2. Addiction
  3. How Do We Know Addiction…
Logo
Added By Red Oak Recovery
Logo
Red Oak Recovery

Meet The Editorial Team

Published: October 15, 2017
Updated: May 7, 2021

A man tries hard to understand that addiction is a diseaseAddiction is a disease. For those still looking for confirmation, there are scientific studies that prove it is. Overall, the definition helps us fight the stigma many associate with the disease. People with addictions are sick. When we realize they aren’t bad people, more of them are willing to get help.

How Do We Know Addiction Is a Disease?

The definition of a disease is any illness or disorder that affects a specific organ with diagnosable symptoms. Therefore, addiction meets these criteria. The organ the disease affects is the brain, and there are a number of resulting symptoms. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has conducted many studies on the addicted brain. We see that the brain of an individual with addiction lacks dopamine flow regulation.

The prefrontal cortex helps with dopamine regulation. Unfortunately, if it isn’t functioning properly, it’s easier to develop an addiction. The additional responsibilities of this part of the brain include:

  • Impulse control
  • Empathy
  • Emotional regulation
  • Logical decision making
  • Attunement

Is Addiction a Choice?

Many people believe addiction is a choice. However, it’s important to realize that a large portion of people struggling with addiction have a genetic predisposition to the disease. Therefore, whether an individual has experimented with substances or not, they may have a 50 percent chance of developing problematic behavior.

For others, addiction absolutely begins as a choice. Millions of people decide to abuse substances on a daily basis. However, some people begin developing dependence to drugs or alcohol to mask other stressors. Even if addiction is a choice, this doesn’t make it any less of a disease. For example, diabetes may start from a poor diet just as cancer can develop from smoking or other unhealthy habits. Additionally, heart disease can occur from not taking care of oneself. Yet, we still respect all these as harrowing diseases worthy of our sympathy. How is addiction any different?

Treating Addiction

Red Oak Recovery is a quality treatment center using evidence-based methods to properly treat addiction. Our team understands the science behind the disease as well as methods for helping the brain heal. Additionally, we’ll provide you with the necessary care and attention to reach lasting recovery. Our programs include:

  • 12 Step addiction recovery
  • Holistic healing
  • Family counseling
  • Recreational therapy
  • Gardening

If you’re ready to transform your life for the better with our clinically-focused programs, call us today at 866-457-7590. It’s never too late to start living a fulfilling lifestyle.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Categories: Addiction, addiction and mental illnessBy Red Oak RecoveryOctober 15, 2017
Tags: 12 step addiction recoveryaddiction is a diseasedrug or alcohol addiction

Post navigation

PreviousPrevious post:The Benefits of Rehab Centers in North CarolinaNextNext post:3 Signs You Need Addiction Help

Related posts

a young man goes over the risks of adhd medication with his counselor
Is ADHD Medication Addictive?
January 27, 2023
a young man begins dual diagnosis treatment to overcome his addiction and mental health disorder
What Is the Most Common Dual Diagnosis Among Young Adult Men?
January 23, 2023
a young man receives counseling in marijuana addiction treatment for delta 8 abuse
Is Delta-8 and Marijuana the Same Thing?
January 19, 2023
a young man explains how he is benefitting from marijuana addiction treatment
Benefits of Marijuana Addiction Treatment
January 16, 2023
an addiction specialist works with a patient to build their treatment plan
What Is an Addiction Specialist?
January 13, 2023
a young man enrolls in an addiction treatment center in asheville nc
Addiction Treatment Centers in Columbus, GA vs. Asheville, NC
January 12, 2023
Red Oak Recovery NC Rehab Center full logo 250x75
REDEFINING THE CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

CALL US TODAY 866.457.7590

Explore our programs
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Red Oak Recovery® Treatment Programs
  • Addiction Treatment Programs
  • Men’s Rehab Center Program
  • Women’s Rehab Center Program
  • Women’s Substance Abuse Treatment Center
  • Family Therapy Program
  • Family Addiction Counseling
  • Clinical Rehabilitation for Young Adults
  • 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program
  • Holistic Healing Services
  • Addiction Therapy Services
  • Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center
  • Drug Addiction Treatment Center
  • Drug Rehab Center Program
  • Alcohol Rehab Center Program
  • Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center
  • Heroin Addiction Treatment Center
  • Opioid Addiction Treatment Center
  • Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center
  • Adderall Addiction Treatment for Young Adults
  • Men’s Heroin Rehab Center
  • Men’s Alcohol Rehab Center
Contact Red Oak

631 Willow Creek Rd
Leicester, NC 28748

P: 866.457.7590

F: 828.372.4213

admissions@redoakrecovery.com

hr@redoakrecovery.com

TwitterLinkedinInstagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Red Oak Recovery® Mental Health Treatment Programs
  • Young Adult Rehab Programs
  • Mental Health Treatment Center
  • Grief Counseling Program
  • Anxiety Treatment Center
  • Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment Center
  • Depression Treatment Center
  • Disordered Eating Treatment Center
  • Anorexia Treatment Center
  • Bulimia Treatment Center
  • OCD Treatment Center
  • Trauma Treatment Center
  • Adjustment Disorder Treatment Center
  • Behavioral Health Services
  • Adjustment Disorder Treatment Program
  • Mood Disorder Treatment Program
Red Oak Recovery® Addiction Treatment Programs
  • Addiction Treatment Programs
  • Men’s Rehab Program
  • Women’s Rehab Program
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Center
  • Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center
  • Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center
  • Drug Addiction Treatment Center
  • Heroin Addiction Treatment Center
  • Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center
  • Opioid Addiction Treatment Center
  • Adderall Addiction Treatment for Young Adults
ACCREDITATIONS & AFFILIATIONS
NATSAP_Research Designated Program
Association for addiction professionals logo
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities logo
National association of therapeutic schools and programs
NAATP Member Logo Horizontal RGB
NCDHHS FOOTER3
lgbtq flag red oak recovery
The Willows At Red Oak Recovery Sm Logo
Foothills-at-Red-Oak-Recovery-Logo-500
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Red Oak Recovery
SEO and Web Design © Red Oak Recovery | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Asheville NC Rehab Center | The Willows at Red Oak Recovery | Foothills at Red Oak Recovery |

Contact us today to let us start supporting your family.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn