What is addiction and how to identify it

What is Addiction?

         Drug or alcohol addiction refers to the continued use of a mind-altering substance despite adverse physical, mental, and spiritual consequences. The word also implies the familial, social, or work-related repercussions of drug abuse. An addict or alcoholic can be physically or psychologically (mentally) addicted, and often both conditions are present. Addiction also encompasses other self-destructive or compulsive behaviors, such as eating disorders, compulsive gambling, pornography addiction, and sex addiction.

Signs and Signals

Anyone should know the signs and signals that addiction may be present. These can range from subtle shifts in attitude or appearance, to severe emotional or life-threatening trauma. The following are some of the signs to look for:

§  Bloodshot eyes

§  Glassy or dull eyes

§  Chronic sinus congestion

§  Deterioration in personal appearance

§  Sever weight loss (or weight gain in some cases)

§  Missing from school or work

§  Decline in job performance; dismissal

§  Loss of interest in hobbies, work, or life

§  Changes in sleep habits

§  Shifts in eating patterns; lack of appetite

§  Traffic violations; DUI

§  Stealing; criminal activity

§  Disruption in interpersonal or familial relations

§  Using sex to obtain drugs or money

§  Erratic behavior; mood swings

§  Aggressive outbursts

§  Self-destructive behavior

§  Violence towards others

Why Addiction?

                A person can be introduced to a highly addictive substance, like heroin, take it once and get hooked. They could have started drinking, which led to smoking pot, which led to cocaine, which in turn led to meth and an addiction. In this day and age of rampant prescription drug abuse, the cycle of addiction can start in childhood, where parents, teachers or counselors recommend the child for psychiatric evaluation. The child is in turn prescribed amphetamine-like compounds, and can rapidly or gradually develop dependency or addiction. This then degenerates into “self-medication” and the cycle of addiction takes over the young person’s life. In another unwitting scenario, a person is prescribed a painkiller for an injury or illness, and an addiction ensues. Most commonly, a person turns to drugs or alcohol to escape life problems or trauma. When this devolves into addiction, the drug use becomes the problem (while the original problems only get worse). Commonly, the primary objective of an alcoholic is to stay drunk. For the addict, the aspirations he or she once had in life are replaced by one goal: to obtain drugs and get to the next hit or fix. What then should be the first step in tackling alcoholism or addiction?

Talk About It

If you suspect a friend or loved one is abusing drugs or alcohol, the best thing to do is take the person aside and ask about it directly. “Denial” is a common trait of the addict, so they may initially lie or dodge the question. The addict or alcoholic is caught in the middle of a continuous push-pull; the urge to continue using commonly intertwined with deep feelings of guilt. You’ll have to convey to the person that they can trust you and you will not judge them. Once you have established some degree of rapport, try to get some questions answered. This is more for them than it is for you, to get them to look objectively at their situation. You wouldn’t want to interrogate them with an onslaught of questioning, but some of the things discussed could be:

§  What substance (or substances) is the person using?

§  How long has this been going on? Months? Years?

§  Do they have a physical or mental addiction (or both)?

§  How did the person get started using drugs or alcohol?

§  What problem or problems was the person seeking to escape from when they started using?

§  Are they associated with drug users who encourage their habit?

§  How are they financing their habit?

§  What are some of the ramifications of their drug use – on themselves, their health, family, friends, school, work, life in general?

If talking about it isn’t getting anywhere, you may need to enlist the help of other trusted family, friends, a pastor, or a counselor. An organized intervention may be in order, to help the person open their eyes as to what they are doing to themselves and others. Whatever angle you use, keep in mind that the addict is battling some extremely heavy forces, some of which are coming from inside him or her.

The Next Step

                After successfully opening up the subject, you and the addict or alcoholic should start discussing forms of rehabilitation. In psychiatric or “traditional” circles, addiction is routinely described as a hereditary, genetic, or incurable disease. Researchers continue to search for the “addiction gene” as they develop new pharmaceuticals in an effort to offset the cravings associated with drugs or alcohol. The other end of the spectrum is the holistic approach, which tends to utilize drug-free detoxification techniques, nutritional regimens (to deal with vitamin and mineral deficiencies), combined with mental or spiritual counseling.

Addiction is one of the most heartbreaking subjects in the panorama of mankind, but it doesn’t have to be an “incurable disease.” You may get discouraged, but if you keep at it, you can often make a significant breakthrough. So, don’t give up!