What is Addiction?

In todays' society the term 'addiction' seems to be firmly associated with those who have a dependency on alcohol or dugs. But, the fact of the matter is, addiction is far more widespread than that. People from all walks of life are addicted to something or other, they just don't realise it, and, when they do often deem their 'addiction' harmless.

Some less harmful addictions include computer gaming and those people who simply cannot stop working. Plus those who have obsessive compulsive disorders (ocd) such as having to do the same things in the same order, or wear their 'lucky socks' when playing football. All are forms of addiction and have their root in the workings of the brain. The American Psychological Association terms these not as addictions but as 'impulse control disorders' or ocd's.

Thus, whilst some 'addictions' are, in reality, just in the mind, others most definitely are not. These people suffering from a dependency on a drug or substance have, the need for this drug, it becoming all powerful and one that consumes their every thought.

In medical terminology, addiction to a drug or substance is described as a chronic neurobiological disorder that results in one or more of the following: a continued use of a drug despite awareness that it has detrimental effects, an impaired ability to control one's use of a drug, and, a preoccupation with a drug for non-therapeutic purposes (those with a drug craving).

Many people in the grip of an addiction also face two other problems. That of Tolerance and Physical dependence. Tolerance is a pharmacological phenomenon where the dose of the drug (or medication) has to be continually increased in order to achieve the desired effect (those taking morphine for pain fall into that category). Physical dependence relates to the fact that some drugs will, if they are abruptly stopped, cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, these being very hard to counter for anyone who has been weakened by the taking of the drug/substance in the first instance.

Where someone is in the grip of an addiction for a substance that has both Tolerance and Physical dependence issues, such as those taking hard drugs, they are as you can see in a very difficult position. Their ability to break out of the addiction is impaired as they simply cannot think straight, the drug damaging their ability to find the way 'out of their predicament'.

But why do people end up with a dependency on a drug or substance? For many the reasons are socially based. The taking of a drug being their way of making their life seem more bearable. In the past this related mostly to alcohol, many resorting to getting drunk every Friday after a long hard day at work. For some this seemingly harmless fun became the start of dependency. Today, perhaps it is other drugs that are seen by society as more worrying, the use of hard drugs becoming one that is increasingly taking the headlines.

For those wishing to take the road to recovery there are many groups who offer support, the admission that they have a problem being a really positive step. Those that are close to the person in the grip of an addiction, their friends and family, can be the most help, their readiness to listen and help being paramount.

There are however many organisations that are ready and willing to assist as well, these including counselling services (both private and the NHS), and many abstinence based 12 step programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Also for families and friends, there is Families Anonymous.