What Is Addiction?

Addiction means using drugs against your will, regardless of the harmful consequences. It’s a complex, chronic disease that keeps you mired in dangerous habits.

Addiction puts your physical and mental health at risk.

Over time, abused substances change your brain chemistry, altering your thinking and leading to destructive behavior patterns. In addition to compulsive activity, warning signs are associated with various addictions.

An addiction tends to:

• Disrupt your life
• Impair your work habits and other daily activities
• Take a toll on your physical health
• Ruin relationships
• Disrupt your hobbies and fitness routines
• Interfere with your financial goals

Which Medications Treat Addiction?

For your health and safety, rely on an experienced addiction practitioner to prescribe and manage your medications, so you can eventually reduce your dependence on those medicines.

Several addiction medications are available that help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and regulate various mental health issues interfering with your recovery.

Your practitioner may recommend a variety of medications, including:

• Suboxone for opiate addiction
• Antabuse to aid in alcohol recovery
• Campral, which regulates brain chemistry when withdrawing from alcohol
• Wellbutrin to help with methamphetamine and nicotine cravings
• Remeron to treat symptoms of depression
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for anxiety