– HEALTHY LIVING Siamak Afshar on How to Treat the Disease of Drug Addiction - P23 (In Persian). Episode: 1621, Air Date: 21 February 2011. br br HOST (IN PERSIAN): Honored viewers, on this week's Healthy Living we delve into the disease of drug addiction and speak with Mr. Siamak Afshar, an Iranian-American, who is a State of California Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (ＣＡＤＣ II). br br Mr. Afshar successfully recovered from alcohol, drug and gambling addictions and thus knows first-hand the tremendous challenges involved in overcoming this condition. Addiction affects both the brain and behavior of an individual. The use of drugs or alcohol causes severely detrimental changes to the brain's activity and chemistry resulting in vastly altered moods, memories, perceptions, and emotional states. Repeated drug or alcohol use may mean permanent changes to the brain's structure with hugely negative consequences for the user. br br Mr.