Addiction

Addiction may be defined as being dependent on something as a habit. Many things, from caffeine to shopping to surfing the net may become addictive. Problems occur when there is a physical and psychological dependency on drugs or alcohol or an activity such as gambling, and when the act of feeding the addiction becomes the priority of one's daily existence. At this point, addiction is not only "problematic," but dangerous and potentially life-threatening.

The overuse or abuse of alcohol and other drugs are the most common forms of addiction. Substance abuse can cause or worsen many medical problems and destroy families and lives.

Symptoms of substance abuse include personality changes, increasing use to attain the same "high," and denial of the problem. A person with alcoholism, for example, may gulp or sneak drinks, drink alone or early in the morning, and as a form of social withdrawal, and suffer from the shakes and even delusions if he or she stops drinking suddenly.

Substance abuse includes the excessive use of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or other illegal substances, as well as the abuse of legal prescription and nonprescription drugs. Some people turn to drugs as a way to get a high or to relieve stress and emotional problems.

Long-term heavy drinking damages the liver, nervous system, heart, and brain. It may also cause high blood pressure, stomach problems, medication interactions, sexual problems, osteoporosis, and cancer. Alcohol abuse can lead to violence, accidents, social isolation, and difficulties at work and home.

Tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medications, and amphetamines (such as speed or crystal) are abused most often, sometimes unintentionally. Women are at particular risk here. More than two-thirds of all tranquilizers are prescribed for women.

Other uncontrollable habits unrelated to drug use can be equally detrimental to one's life and thus, can constitute dangerous addictions. Gambling is an act that can lead to severe consequences. People with gambling problems become dependent on the euphoria they get from gambling, which may be similar to the high achieved by alcohol or drugs. Gambling is considered pathological when it seriously disrupts the gambler's life. This problem is thought to affect somewhere between 1.5% to 11% of the adult population. The rate of suicide attempts among problem gamblers is very high.

The usual treatment for most addictions is to gradually reduce the dose of the drug and the frequency of use until it can be stopped completely. Although some individuals are able to break their addictions on their own, in many cases counseling and regular follow-up by a health professional is very helpful. A comprehensive lifestyle approach emphasizing the balancing of "wants" and "should" (pleasures and responsibilities), good social support (including participation in support groups such as AA), effective stress management, healthy eating and exercise is most effective.