subject: What is Addiction? [print this page] What is Addiction? What is Addiction?
Although anyone can develop a dependency by excessive use of an addictive substance (such as drugs or alcohol), a small proportion of the population have what can be described as an addictive personality. If a person with an addictive personality is exposed to a substance of activity to which they are vulnerable, a more serious and binding addiction takes hold. This person is seriously ill, both physically and psychologically.There are many forms of addiction, the most common being alcohol, drugs, gambling and sexual addiction. The addict becomes reliant on their "drug" to achieve any feeling of normalcy and this can lead to them isolating themselves from friends and family to pursue their habit.An addict experiences an uncontrollable need for their habit, so much so that they find it nearly impossible to stop. Often this is despite the fact that they realise their behaviour is destructive. In the early stages the addict may only use in small quantities. Eventually the user's body adapts and starts to need more of that substance or behaviour to create the same excitement as when they first started.For example, a man may start using cocaine, initially, just on a weekend. Over time, the tolerance increases and the cravings grow in intensity. The man decides that he wants to do it on Wednesdays and Fridays as well. Soon the dependency kicks in and he is using everyday, and eventually several times a day.At this stage, for the addict, everything else becomes unimportant, as feeding the habit rises to the top of their priority list. The simplest definition of addiction is an inability to quit, despite recognition of the negative consequences of using and an intense desire to be free of the addiction. A full-blown addiction can lead to complete isolation from loved ones.When someone is physically addicted to a substance, they may experience pain, intense agitation, and depression when trying to quit. Psychological dependency is arguably more difficult to treat and involves the ever-present need for the habit in order to feel normal. It is often combined with a real fear of letting go of the habit.A proper definition of addiction is crucial when trying to establish if you or a loved one has a dependency problem. Understanding the nature of addiction is the first step toward obtaining suitable treatment and getting on the road to mental and physical recovery. Tackling an addiction is a challenging endeavour and it cannot be accomplished without assistance.
