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Understanding the Addicted Brain: Beyond the Disease Model and Toward Healing
In the realm of addiction recovery, traditional models, such as the 12-step program, often frame addiction as a disease.
While this perspective has been instrumental in helping many, it does not resonate with everyone. Increasingly, experts are exploring addiction through alternative lenses, viewing it as a symptom of deeper, underlying issues.
This shift in understanding invites a broader conversation about the addicted brain, the challenges of breaking free from addiction—especially alcohol — and pathways to healing beyond conventional frameworks.
The Nature of Addiction: A Symptom, Not a Disease
Addiction is complex, entangling physical, emotional, and psychological strands. At its core, it often serves as a coping mechanism for pain, trauma, or unmet emotional needs. When we consider addiction not as a disease but as a symptom, we acknowledge the multifaceted human experience behind substance use.
This perspective encourages us to explore the root causes of addiction, such as childhood adversity, stress, depression, or anxiety, rather than focusing solely on the addiction itself.
