Addiction is a progressive, chronic, primary, relapsing disorder that involves features such as compulsion to use a chemical(s) or indulge in a behavior, loss of control over the use of a substance(s) or behavior, and continued use or acting out in spite of negetive or adverse consequences.
It is the state of being where it becomes impossible to survive and get mental peace until ones needs are fulfilled in regards to whatever the addiction is for.
The word addiction is generally linked to drugs and alcoholism, which is very true also but it’s not only that. There are many kinds of addiction, which are very common these days: computer addiction, games addiction, gambling addiction, over eating problems, sex addiction, etc.
A disease?
Many people do not think addiction is a disease. Some say it is simply a moral problem, or weakness. Addiction is NOT a moral problem or a weakness. To better understand addiction as a disease, we must first examine what a disease is.
Definition of a disease: A definate morbid process having a charachteristic trait of symptoms, it may affect the whole body or any of its parts. And it etiology, pathology, and prognosis may be known or unknowns. E.M. Jellinek in the late 1940's had found that alcoholism had a charachteristic set of signs and symptoms, and it has a definate and progressive course. We like to think of this as the stages of addiction. They are as followed:
Pre stage: Relief-fun
Early stage: Start using more, forgetting, start to sneak use, begin to feel guilt about using, dont communicate about it, and increased tolerace begins.
Mid stage: The addict starts to experience a loss of control over use, probably mild at this point. Mild enough to rationalize the use or behavior. The addict can show signs of aggressiveness, grandiose behaviors, and remorse. The addicted person will change friends and begin to lower there standards of friendship in order to continue use or behavior.
Late stage: There will be a significant change in values at this point, the deeper into the addiction one gets the less important values become. The addict will neglect health and usualy end up in hospital or detox clinics frequently. The addict is saturated with self pitty and resentment, and tries to escape reality as often as possible.
Final stage: At this stage the addict has lost all control of there use or behavior. All areas of life become affected negetively and are unmanageable. The addict will experience tremors, hallucinations, frequent blackouts, psychosis, irritability, confusion, ethical deteriotion, physical and emotional shutdown, insanity and if intervention is not done death.
At any of these stages addiction can be treated and arrested. Physical dependence can occure with drug and alcohol addiction. Physical dependence occurs when the cells in the body become accustomed to the drug and begin to adapt to the presence of that drug. Once this has happened, the body appears to be in balance only when the drug is present. Physical dependence must be treated by a qualified medical staff or center, as withdraw symptoms can be dangerous if not properly managed.
In conclusion, addiction is a serious disease. One that involves genetics, environment, social factors, biology, and psychology. Addiction is treatable and many have found relief. The first step is to admit there is a problem and ask for the nessesary help.
