health

Addiction (a-DIK-shun) refers to the abuse of a substance, such as alcohol
or another drug, to the point at which a person develops a physical or
psychological * need for it. The term also may be used to describe a behavior
that is out of control, such as gambling or spending too much time on the
Internet.
People who have an addiction are commonly said to be “hooked” on a
substance or behavior. It is an apt choice of word, since addicts often feel
as if they are dangling like a fish on a hook and that they cannot break
free. Fortunately, this is not true. Treatment can help people overcome
addiction and regain control of their lives.

Psychological dependence Some people feel as if they have lost
control of their drinking or drug use, yet they do not show signs of
tolerance* or withdrawal. While these people may not be physically hooked
on a substance, they can still have a strong psychological dependence on it.
Psychological dependence is present when individuals are convinced they cannot
manage or enjoy themselves without using. The substance, they believe,
helps them cope. Like people with a physical dependence, these individuals
feel an intense craving, which leads them to believe that using is necessary.

Physical dependence People with an addiction to alcohol or another
drug develop a physical dependence on the substance, which is a strong
need to use it no matter how bad the consequences may be. One sign of
physical dependence is called tolerance. When individuals develop tolerance
for a certain substance, they need more and more of it to get the
same effect they originally got with a small amount. If individuals keep
using the same amount of the substance, after a while they notice that it
does not have the original effect anymore.
Another sign of physical dependence is withdrawal, which means
that people who are hooked on a substance can have physical symptoms,
including feeling sick if they stop using it. The symptoms are so unpleasant
that people may be driven to start using the substance again just so
they can feel better in the present. Withdrawal discomfort explains why
addicted individuals come back for more of a substance, even after they
realize that they have a serious problem.
People who are dependent on alcohol or other drugs, either psychologically
or physically, often spend much of their time finding ways of getting
the substance, using it, hiding it, and recovering from its ill effects.
Friendships, school, work, sports, and other activities all are negatively
affected as a result. As the problems pile up, people may want desperately
to give up the substance, yet they find it very hard to do so despite
repeated efforts to kick the habit. Often, users will not see the connection
between drug use and life problems. They think that the issues in their
lives justify their drug and alcohol use and deny that their substance abuse
is the underlying problem causing those issues.