Substance Abuse Counseling Phone: {913} 601-5269 Text: {913}-221-4979
Substance Abuse and Addiction is a DISEASE!
The Disease Model
In 1956, The American Medical Association classified alcoholism as a disease. Yet, more than 50 years later many people still have difficulty understanding this concept.
They think of a disease as something you can see on an X-ray or as physical symptoms. In actuality, the medical definition of disease is much broader than the general public understands. While there are some people who may disagree,
this is quite frankly a misinformed opinion with
no basis of facts.
Dr. Nora D. Volkow, M.D., the Director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), is a leading international expert in the field of addiction. Dr. Volkow's research and studies clearly prove addiction is a neurological disorder that affects both brain and behavior. Doolittle & Associates is a strong advocate of Dr. Volkow's work and mission to educate the addiction sufferer, their families and society, in what she calls "A Disease of the Brain".
We are also learning more every day about the genetic and hereditary aspects of addiction. Scientists have identified specific genes that are believed to promote addiction, as well as genes that may impede addiction. Therefore, we are beginning to learn why some people are more susceptible to addiction than others with a clear pattern of the disease passing from one generation to the next. Of course, environment also plays an important role when a family culture promotes substance abuse.
Therefore, addiction is recognized by the vast majority of physicians, clinicians, researchers and leading scientists as a disease like any other, which can be successfully treated.
Learn More
Visit us at Doolittle & Harrington Healthcare
10560 Barkley Street, Suite 340
Overland Park, Kansas 66212
(913) 601-5269
Help is just a phone call or click away!