Narcology: diseases — симптомы, диагностика и лечение

Alcohol addiction is a disease, not promiscuity or “weak will.” When consumed regularly, alcohol becomes integrated into the brain's reward system and changes its functioning: over time, alcohol is no longer needed for pleasure, but in order to feel normal. Therefore, reproaches, promises and demands to “pull yourself together” do not help - this is about the same as using willpower to lower blood pressure in case of hypertension. It’s important to know two more things right away: coming out of a long-term binge can be life-threatening, and what is commonly called coding does not cure addiction in itself—it only creates a pause that needs to be filled with something.

Nicotine addiction is the most widespread of all addictions and the only one that others do not usually consider a disease. Meanwhile, nicotine reaches the brain in about ten seconds after puffing, briefly increases dopamine levels and begins to be eliminated almost immediately: its half-life is about two hours. This is why the smoker reaches for the next cigarette every hour or two, and mistakes the growing irritation for “nerve work,” although this is already a withdrawal symptom. The second trap is the belief that you can quit “at any time, it’s just not the time”: attempts without preparation and support end in success for a minority, while a combination of properly selected therapy and behavioral support increases the chances several times.