Biologically (medical definition) Addiction is a “chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequence, and long-lasting changes and damage to major organs of the body, including the brain.”
There are many psychological addictions such as food, gambling, exercising or gaming. The term addiction does not only refer to a dependence on substances such as alcohol, heroin, or cocaine. A psychological addiction is defined as “an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior even though it may cause psychological or physical harm.”
What Causes A Person To Become Addicted
Addiction is a complex condition that affects a person’s behavior and brain. And while the phrase “addiction” often conjures images of drug abuse and alcoholism, it’s important to remember that addiction can take many forms. From gambling to sex to social media use, addiction can cause harm in several ways.
But what causes someone to become an addict? What makes one person more likely than another to develop an addiction problem? The answer is complicated, and there are no simple explanations for why some people become addicts while others do not. Addiction is multi-faceted with many diverse causes. Research indicates that the following three play a significant role in the onset of addictions.
1. Genetics: Genes can play a significant role in the onset of addiction. People with a first-degree relative (parent, children, sibling), with an addiction problem may have an increased risk and a predisposition to developing an addiction. While there’s still a lot more to learn about the connection between genes and substance use disorder, it’s one of the most common root causes of addiction.
2. Environmental Factors: Environmental factors are also a contributing factor, such as being raised in poverty or experiencing an abusive childhood. Other environmental factors that may affect the onset of substance use include peer pressure, unstable home environment, parents that use drugs, presence of drugs at home, and community influence.
3. Trauma: Childhood experiences may significantly impact a person’s physical and mental health. Traumatic childhood experiences may lead to emotional difficulties such as substance abuse. Examples of traumatic experiences include:
• Physical and/or sexual abuse
• Verbal abuse
• Emotional neglect
• Witnessing violence
• Parental separation or divorce
• Stress-related to military-family life
• Traumatic brain injuries can also cause change within the brain that results in an increased risk of addiction and other symptoms like headaches, memory loss, and sleep problems.

Definitions Of Recovery
“Recovery from addiction and mental health problems is a process of change through which an individual achieves improved health, and wellness” ~ World Health Organization
The Recovery Journey, which encompasses all of these states. It is a “…process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” “Physical Health, Emotional/Psychological Health”. Spiritual Health” and “Sexual Health” ~ World Health Organization

Acupuncture has shown promising potential in addressing cognitive decline. By improving cerebral blood flow, it enhances oxygen delivery and reduces stress hormones like cortisol while increasing serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine—specifically linked to memory. Acupuncture also promotes cholinergic and dopaminergic neural transmission, facilitates neurotrophin signaling and nerve growth factor, and protects cerebral neurons from apoptosis and oxidative damage. Furthermore, it regulates glucose metabolism, suppresses acetylcholinesterase, and decreases levels of amyloid beta proteins in the brain regions associated with cognitive decline. Research suggests that combining acupuncture with drug therapy may be more beneficial for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease than drug therapy alone, highlighting its complementary role in Western medicine.

Compassion Fatigue is the cost of caring for others, or for their emotional pain, resulting from the desire to help relieve the suffering of others. It is also known as vicarious or secondary trauma, referencing the way that other people’s trauma can become their own. Caregivers in the addiction and mental health field in meeting and providing for the needs and resources of their clients are in danger of becoming emotionally depleted by the intense needs of clients, and the workplace. This can result in a reduction in sense of accomplishment and feelings of inadequacy when clients do not respond, to efforts to help.

Compassion is a fundamental trait for addiction recovery and for life. Compassion for other’s suffering and a deep desire to relieve that suffering plays an important role in addiction recovery. The connection between self-compassion and substance use has been well studied. Recovery from addiction is often complicated by shame and regret over actions and behaviour during their active addiction. Self compassion is related to less drug and alcohol use, and people who develop severe alcohol problems, have better recovery outcomes including longer period of abstinence and fewer negative emotions such as stress, depression, and anxiety.

Unfortunately, negative emotions such as guilt, shame, and self-criticism come more naturally to us than positive emotions. This is especially true for people recovering from addiction and mental health issues.

Your experience of compassion may be directed toward other people, or it may be directed inwardly toward yourself.
• Compassion for others: When you experience compassion for others you feel their pain. You want to find a way to relieve their suffering. These feelings compel you to take action to do what you can to make the situation better.
• Self Compassion: Treating yourself with the same compassion and kindness you show to others. Rather than beating yourself up over mistakes you have made in the past you feel understanding, and are mindful and accepting of yourself and your imperfections.

What is the meaning of Compassion? Different aspects of compassion’s meaning are emphasized by various dictionaries. Merriam Websters’ definition of compassion, states “The meaning of compassion is to recognize the suffering of others and then take action to help.” Merriam Websters’ definition embodies the component of action. Other definitions refer to the broad sympathetic feelings associated with compassion such as empathy, sympathy, pity, or other compassion synonyms. One may feel sympathy, but not act on it – compassion gets involved. When others keep their distance from those who are suffering, compassion prompts us to act on their behalf.