What is Addiction?

Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. 

Prevention efforts and treatment approaches for addiction are generally as successful as those for other chronic diseases.

Defined and adopted by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) board of directors on 09/15/19.

Cycle of Addiction

 
 
Emotional Trigger

Emotional Trigger

⇊

Craving

Craving

⇊

Ritual

Ritual

⇊

Using

Using

⇊

Guilt

Guilt

 

 Addiction-Related Resources

Featured
Facing Addiction in America:​The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs & Health
Facing Addiction in America:​The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs & Health
Culpeper Heroin Crisis
Culpeper Heroin Crisis

The Culpeper Police Department in coordination with local coalition groups produced this video to address the heroin and opioid public health crisis.

Heroin: The Hardest Hit
Heroin: The Hardest Hit

In an effort to combat the growing epidemic of prescription drug and heroin abuse, the FBI and DEA have released a documentary aimed at educating students and young adults about the dangers of addiction.

What is an Opioid Overdose?
What is an Opioid Overdose?
Life of an Addict
Life of an Addict
What is Addiction?
What is Addiction?
A</a>ddiction Policy Forum
Addiction Policy Forum

The Addiction Policy Forum is a diverse partnership of organizations, policymakers and stakeholders committed to working together to elevate awareness around addiction and to improve national policy through a comprehensive response that includes prevention, treatment, recovery and criminal justice reform.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline</a>
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

National Association of Children of Alcoholics</a>
National Association of Children of Alcoholics

​The National Association of Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) mission is to eliminate the adverse impact of alcohol and drug use on children and families. Using our network of the most respected experts in the field, we provide solutions to address these impacts effectively. NACoA envisions a world in which no child who struggles because of family addiction will be left unsupported.

Communities Anti-Drug Coalitions of America</a>
Communities Anti-Drug Coalitions of America

​The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) mission is to strengthen the capacity of community coalitions to create and maintain safe, healthy and drug-free communities globally. This is accomplished by providing technical assistance and training, public policy advocacy, media strategies and marketing programs, training and special events.

​</a>Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration</a>
​Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration

​The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

National Institute on Drug Abuse</a>
National Institute on Drug Abuse

​The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) mission is to advance science on the causes and consequences of drug use and addiction and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health.

Commonly Misused (Abused) Drugs Charts
Commonly Misused (Abused) Drugs Charts

Most drugs of abuse can alter a person’s thinking and judgment, leading to health risks, including addiction, drugged driving, and infectious disease.

​What to Ask Your Doctor Before Taking Opioids
​What to Ask Your Doctor Before Taking Opioids

We at SpiritWorks Foundation are proud to partner with Psych Hub, the trusted resource for mental health information.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Save Lives
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Save Lives

The opioid crisis in the United States has come about because of excessive use of these drugs for both legal and illicit purposes and unprecedented levels of consequent opioid use disorder (OUD).

Equal Access to Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Services is Your Right
Equal Access to Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Services is Your Right

The 2008 Federal Parity Law requires insurers to cover illnesses of the brain, such as depression or addiction, no more restrictively than illnesses of the body, such as diabetes or cancer. As rates of suicides and overdoses continue to climb nationwide, mental health parity is more important than ever. Unfortunately, many insurers are still not following the law.

Navigating Addiction and Treatment
Navigating Addiction and Treatment

Navigating Addiction and Treatment: A Guide for Families is a resource for family members who are trying to navigate the complex world of addiction and help loved ones achieve recovery.

Opioid Use Disorder Toolkit for Faith-Based Community Leaders
Opioid Use Disorder Toolkit for Faith-Based Community Leaders

SpiritWorks Foundation is pleased to announce the release of The Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Toolkit for Faith-Based Community Leaders and Organizations. The Toolkit arose from a request to the Opioid Response Network (ORN) from SpiritWorks Foundation to develop a comprehensive toolkit to better assist members and their families struggling with Opioid Use Disorder.