In order to address the question of what addiction recovery actually is, we must first determine what an addiction is regarding substance abuse. There are differing definitions as to what addiction is but they generally come to the same conclusion:

- A chronic, relapsing disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and abuse and by long-lasting chemical changes in the brain

- Strong emotional and /or psychological dependence on a substance such as alcohol or drugs that has progressed beyond voluntary control

- Uncontrollable craving, seeking, and use of a substance such as a drug or alcohol

- A term referring to compulsive drug use, psychological dependence, and continuing use despite harm

- Compulsion or overpowering urge to use a substance, regardless of potential or actual harm

- Addiction is a primary, chronic, neurobiological disease, with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations

An addiction, when referring to drug and alcohol abuse, is defined as a neurological disease that results in seeking out drugs or alcohol to satisfy a psychological compulsion. It is important to note here that addiction is a disease and not the addict simply being ignorant or insensitive. One definition above mentions that addiction is a habit that has ‘progressed beyond voluntary control’. This why it is important that family and friends of the addict be supportive rather than aggressive or condemning as being surrounded by supportive people can help gently push the addict towards recognizing he has a drug addiction problem and seeking some kind of addiction recovery program.

Drug addiction recovery is the means by which a drug or alcohol addict overcomes their addiction. This usually through drug addiction treatment centers that specialize in the specific steps that must be undertaken to make the addiction recovery not only as smooth as possible but also as effective and permanent as possible.

Addiction recovery through drug addiction treatment in the best drug and alcohol rehab centers will be focused and complete to the best of the facility’s abilities. While it does make a great difference if the addict has admitted to having a substance abuse problem and fully wishes to recover, this is not a necessity as people can be admitted by caring family and friends who may feel the addict is not capable of making decisions for himself.

Drug and alcohol addiction is a no-win situation for everyone. Family and friends suffer by seeing a loved one destroying themselves and the addict himself is consistently on a path of self-destruction. This habit must be broken in order to make a full addiction recovery and drastically increase the chances of returning to a normal life once more.