Addiction is a chronic health condition affecting over 48 million people nationwide. Addiction has biological components, such as the effects on the brain, as well as psychological and social components. These three domains – the biopsychosocial – recognize that there are multiple pathways to addiction, such as genetic predisposition, psychiatric and psychological factors, and unhealthy coping skills. In addiction treatment, clinicians work to build individualized treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of each patient and specific needs in each domain.
This video explainer walks through the science of addiction for families, caregivers, and community members. Understanding addiction through a health lens helps in the treatment of individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) with empathy and promotes more effective prevention and treatment strategies.