Although the debate over addiction continues, there is currently hard evidence demonstrating that addiction is, in fact, a brain disease. As human beings we are, of course, much more than our neurobiology, and for this reason the most effective drug and alcohol rehabs attend to not only individual differences, but also to the needs of the whole person: body, mind, social/cultural, and spiritual. The best drug and alcohol treatment programs, in other words, are based on a Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual model of addiction.

To fully appreciate the necessity for the addicted individual of drug and alcohol rehab, an explanation of why addiction is a disease, and what happens in the brain of an alcoholic or addict, is in order. In his book titled Addiction and its accompanying CDs on “Disease” and “The First Year of Recovery”, Kevin McCauley, M.D., presents a thoroughly convincing argument for why addiction is a brain disease, and for how addiction, seemingly caused by a behavior that is a choice, actually arises from structural and chemical differences in the brains of addicted individuals. In explaining these differences, Dr. McCauley additionally proves that addiction fits the disease model of medicine. The Disease Model, which arose out of Germ Theory about a century ago, was the first causal model in medicine in this country. Before this model, doctors simply chased down symptoms.

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Contrary to what many people think, hitting bottom is not a prerequisite for recovery from alcoholism and addiction. Along the same lines, there still exists a widely held misconception that claims the addicted individual must enter drug and alcohol rehab of his or her own volition. The fact is, the alcoholic or addict who enters a treatment program half-heartedly, or even begrudgingly, is far better off than the person with an addiction who does not enter a drug and alcohol program at all.

Addiction is a progressive and potentially fatal disease, and addiction intervention is often the first step on the road to recovery. Intervention can be the start of the healing process, not only for the alcoholic or addict, but also for the participating family members and friends. When conducted correctly, and done with understanding and compassion, addiction intervention means more than helping the addicted person to achieve sobriety: it honors everything that you love in that person (while also saying no to the disease). Additionally, intervention honors the best - the qualities you appreciate and value most - in the other people involved, as well as in you. Addiction intervention pays homage to the highest self in each person present, and is truly an expression of love.

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