Addiction

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease defined by a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol, drugs, or behaviors. Someone with an addiction will often pursue their toxic habits despite putting themselves or others in harm’s way, and it heavily impacts the way a person thinks, feels, and acts. Many individuals with addiction disorders are aware they have a problem but have difficulty stopping on their own. Kristen's House provides you with a safe place to learn about the disease of addiction and the role that it plays in your life.

While it can be tempting to try a drug or addictive activity for the first time, it’s all too easy for things to go south — especially in the case of drug and alcohol abuse. People develop tolerances when they repeatedly abuse substances over time. That means larger amounts of drugs or alcohol are required to achieve the desired effects, escalating the nature of the addiction. 

Prolonged substance abuse can result in a dangerous cycle of addiction: one where people need to continue using drugs or alcohol in order to avoid the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal. By the time people realize they have a problem drugs or alcohol may have already seized control, causing users to prioritize substance abuse over everything else that was once important in their lives.

No one ever plans to become addicted. There are countless reasons why someone would try a substance or behavior. Some are driven by curiosity and peer pressure, while others are looking for a way to relieve stress. At our home it is required that you work some kind of program, as this is the way to learn about addiction and through doing things like keeping commitments and being held accountable, your brain will be given the chance to rewire itself.