© 2020 American Society of Addiction Medicine. All rights reserved. ASAM.org
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INTRODUCTION
Addiction is a chronic medical illness that affects millions
of people all over the world, as well as their families and
communities. In 2018, about 2.1 million Americans ages 12 or
older had an opioid use disorder (an active opioid addiction). Like
diabetes or heart disease, there is no cure for addiction. But it can
be managed, and people with addiction can and do recover.
There are treatments available that are proven to be safe and
effective. Treatment provided by trained clinicians can lead to a
healthier way of life, free from the symptoms of addiction. This
healthy way of life is referred to as recovery. Treatment with a
medication along with counseling and other support is often the
most effective choice for opioid addiction.
This document provides facts about treatment from The
American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) – the leading
medical society for addiction treatment. Learn more about ASAM
at www.ASAM.org.
DEFINITION OF ADDICTION
*
Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease in which a person
compulsively seeks and uses substances like drugs or alcohol,
or engages in other behaviors (such as gambling) despite the
harms that it causes to their health and/or their life. It is a brain
disease because addiction changes how the brain works. Addiction
impacts areas of the brain that control motivation, impulse
control, reaction to stress, memory, and decision-making. These
changes may last a long time, even after the person stops using
substances. Without treatment and recovery support, addiction
may keep getting worse.
*Modified from ASAM Definition of Addiction
https://www.asam.org/Quality-Science/definition-of-addiction
