Not to be confused with other types of electrography or with echocardiography. Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) is the process of recording the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time using electrodes placed on the skin.
Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain; they change its structure and how it works.
These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a relapsing diseaseâpeople in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.