The concept of an 'addictive personality' is highly dependent on the model of addiction and recovery that one subscribes to. Much like other chronic illnesses such as heart disease or asthma, drug addiction treatment is not a cure-all. However, it can be managed successfully. Treatment helps people to counteract the disruptive effects of addiction on the brain and behavior, and regain control of their lives.
Although addiction cannot be cured, it can be treated. Many people are able to achieve permanent recovery and lead long, fulfilling lives. Studies have shown that around 70% of alcoholics who enter treatment and remain sober for at least a year are able to stay sober for the rest of their lives. It is important to remember, however, that relapse is always a possibility.
When someone is addicted to a substance or behavior, they may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it. These symptoms can be temporarily relieved when they start using the substance or engaging in the behavior again. Over time, however, these symptoms will usually disappear completely after quitting smoking. In addition to the general risk of addiction, certain substances have additional tracking values that increase with each subsequent use.
Items not listed in this table are not addictive in Fallout 3; this includes Rad-X, RadAway, and some other substances. For people with addictions to drugs such as stimulants or cannabis, there are currently no medications available to aid in treatment, so treatment consists of behavioral therapies. Research has shown that when treating addictions to opioids (prescription pain relievers or medications such as heroin or fentanyl), medications should be the first line of treatment, usually combined with some form of behavioral therapy or counseling. Long-term drug use decreases activity in certain areas of the brain, making it more likely for an individual to make irrational decisions and become addicted. Addicts may go into total remission, in which they no longer need to take the substance to function, or into partial remission (meeting a diagnostic criterion but with a lower level of severity of addiction).
To determine whether addiction can be “treated” or “cured”, one must first understand addiction. The rate of marijuana addiction is lower than that of alcohol, and there is little scientific evidence that it acts as a trigger for harder drugs. Research has also shown that people who have fallen under the influence of addiction once are very likely to become addicted again. Partial remission is also referred to as “improvement” or “at risk”, meaning that they may fall back into addiction or substance use disorder. Along with poor diet and poor hygiene which are symptoms of a substance abuse problem, methamphetamine addicts tend to have broken and rotten teeth.