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JANUARY 1, 2021
What do you know about addiction?
Addiction is a term that is used a lot. Yet, most people do not understand
what addiction is. Addiction is a general term for severe substance use
disorders. Addiction is not caused by weakness! Addiction is not a choice!
Addiction is not easy to overcome! A baby can be born with an addiction
gene even if both parents never used a single substance!
Our DNA is composed of genes. Genes decide what color your eyes are.
Genes control all of the traits that you have. Traits include what we look
like physically. Traits also include how your body functions. There are
more than 20,000 genes in your DNA. When genes get changed, diseases
can occur.
Let’s look at an example. Some people are more likely to experience
Type II diabetes. There are many genes associated with diabetes. Genes
sometimes have mistakes and changes happen. Once the mistake happens,
all future copies of the gene will be changed. A gene could have changed
in a grandparent. At conception, the gene can be passed on. It’s not just
that you have the gene. Your childhood environment and adult lifestyle
matters a lot!
Addiction is the same! Some people are more likely to experience addic-
tion than others. Just like in diabetes, there are many genes associated
with addiction. Just like in diabetes, you could have received a changed
gene from one of your grandparents. Depending upon the environment and
lifestyle, the changed gene may lead to the disease of addiction.
Addiction occurs when a person cannot stop using a substance like alco-
hol or drugs. Even when there are really bad outcomes, the person cannot
stop using the substance. It is called chronic, which means it is very long
lasting. Tolerance is developed. This means over time it takes more and
more of the substance to get the same effect. The most important thing
to understand about addiction is that it changes your brain and how your
brain functions! The physical changes to the brain can even be seen with
a brain scan.
Just because a person has addiction genes, it does not mean you will
develop an addiction. The best protection against addiction is to never
take substances like alcohol or drugs! If you have used alcohol or drugs
and have experienced negative consequences, the best way to prevent
addiction is to get treatment.
If you have questions about addiction or would like more information
about treatment, please call Elaine Robertson at the ye?lan tilixam haws,
503-879-1389.
We can help
with responsible
gambling
Are you having problems with gambling?
Please meet Sergio Gutierrez, CADC-1, CGAC-1 Chemical Dependency and Gambling
Addiction Counselor. Sergio works at the CTGR Behavioral Health Department twice a
month from 8:00-5:00pm. Sergio has been practicing since 1997 and is versatile in his
knowledge pertaining to gambling addiction. He is ready and eager to help our members
in any way he can.
Call now for availability and to make
your appointment:
503-879-2026
The odds can be
in YOUR favor!!
Gambling Hotline:
1-877-MY-Limit (1-877-695-4648)
or Text 503-713-6000
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