U03a1_COUN5108_ImpactOfAddictions.doc COUN 5108 Unit 3 Assignment: Impact of Addiction

u03a1_COUN5108_ImpactOfAddictions.doc  COUN 5108  Unit 3 Assignment: Impact of Addiction  COUN 5108: Foundations of Addiction and Addictive Behavior  In 2017, 19.7 Million American adolescents and adults older than 12, had a diagnosed a substance use disorder (National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018). Of those, 38% suffered from an illicit drug use disorder (American Addiction Centers, 2020a). While some people argue that addiction is due to personal choice or lack of willpower to stop, research continues to show that this is not the case.  Addiction is considered to be a complex brain disease. The addiction brain disease is thought to be manifested by compulsive substance use. People with substance use disorders typically know and understand the health risks and the problems that it can cause. However, they have such an intense focus on the substance that it often takes over their entire life (American Psychiatric Association, 2020). People can become addicted to a variety of different substances from alcohol to cocaine. While some people can take or use a substance and never become addicted, others may use it once and become addicted.   Causes of Addiction  While some people argue that addiction is caused by a persons choice to choose to use and abuse a substance, research has continued to prove that addiction is ultimately a brain disease (American Psychiatric Association, 2020). While it is typically a choice for a person to begin using illicit substances, people with substance use disorders will develop