What Is Drug Addiction? Have I Crossed The Line Into Drug Addiction?

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What Is A Drug Addiction? Crossing The Line From Partying To Being A Drug Addict.

What is a drug addict? Depends who you ask, there is one thing I can guaranty; it is someone with all sorts of problems. In fact that might be real question, is your drug use causing problems in your life? If so, why not quit? Ahh...there lies the problem.

It may be helpful to look at 4 Levels Of Drug Use

1.    Being abstinent - the absolute sure fire way not to have problems with drugs

2.    Social or occasional use -  For more info see Social Drug Use

3.    Drug abuse - Please see our sister site What is Drug Abuse

4.    Drug Addiction - also known as 'chemically dependent', substance dependent'

Let's try and answer that question 'What is a drug addiction'.


Bonus Tip: And now I would like to invite you to access our free mini-course on the 5 most common mistakes people make in addiction recovery. To gain instant access, visit us at: http://TheRecoveryClub.com

Drug and Alcohol Test 

Take a look at these questions

Denial is one of the main components when speaking about drug addiction, and can be one of the most destructive aspects of any addiction.

Not being able to recognize if and when you have an addiction to drugs is one common reason why substance use spirals out of control. We have a built in blind spot to adiction. If you use drugs and/or alcohol on a regular basis you may wish to review the following list of questions (please be honest!):

1) These days, do you find that it takes more and more to get high/drunk than it used to (having developed a significant tolerance to a substance is one of the first signs of addiction)?

2) Do you keep a constant drug or alcohol supply handy (do you stock up in anticipation of running out i.e., the liquor store may be closed for an upcoming holiday - or contact the dealer ahead of time before your supply runs out this type of preoccupation is one of the signs of addiction)?

3) Do you ever drink or use more than you intended to (not being able to control how much you use is another sign of addiction)?

Click Here:
Alcohol + Drug Test To finish the test and get the answers.

Relapse Prevention 

Relapse Prevention Plan

Bonus Tip: And now I would like to invite you to access our free mini-course on the 5 most common mistakes people make in addiction recovery. To gain instant access, visit us at: http://TheRecoveryClub.com
The Recovery Club
The Recovery Club was developed to help keep people in recovery without relapse and work on growing in recovery.

Free Drug Addiction Resource Guide 

Tips and How to's on Getting into Addiction Recovery and Staying There

There is a gallery of sober living and life skill information available in the Free, 103 page Resource Guide. Lot's of '10 tips to...' and 'How to' articles. These are all solution oriented. We have been in the problem long enough.
Click Here: Free Addiction Recovery Help Guide,

Drug Addiction Criteria...Medically Speaking 

Professionals use the terminology 'Substance Dependence'

To qualify as having Substance Dependence aka 'drug addiction', being a 'drug addict', 3 of the following need to have occurred at any time in the same 12 month period.

Tolerance - means that the amount of drugs taken has increased over time to get the effect you are looking for. For example, you need more to get high or you need to take more prescription pain killers for them to work. Tolerance can also mean that if you always take the same amount the effect is less than what it was.

Withdrawal - means that you suffer significant distress, physical or emotional when you stop taking the drug you have been using in a prolonged manner. The 'crash' after a cocaine run, even a hangover from drinking can be withdrawal. Each substance produces its own effects based on quantity used, time used and the users make up.

Using in larger amounts or over a longer time than intended. Going back for more, extending your run.

Unsuccessful efforts to quit, cut down or control your use or never tried to quit.

Spending a lot of time getting the drug, using it or recovering from it. Hanging out in bars, doctor shopping, looking to hook up.

Important activities given up or cut down because of use (family functions, job, hobbies etc.)

Continued use despite knowledge that a physical or psychological problem occurs with use. An example would be using knowing you throw up every time you use, or that you use cocaine for depression but know that every time you crash the depression gets worse.

I am not a big fan of labels, because they are often mis applied and mean different things to different people. Labels like substance dependent, chemically dependent, drug addict, plus a variety of uncomplimentary terms should not be the focus.

The focus should be on the question 'Is your drug use causing problems, and what, if anything do you want to do about it.

Alcohol Addiction 

Alcohol Addiction is a devastating disease that affects millions of individuals worldwide. When one experiences an addiction to alcohol, they rely heavily on this particular substance. The addiction is both physical and mental. These individuals lose every ounce of control they have when it comes to consuming alcohol. They feel as if they must drink. Normally, these individuals do not stop drinking until they have actually passed out from consuming too much.

Eventually, it gets to the point in which the person must consume larger amounts to get the same feelings of euphoria that the consumption provided in the past. If an individual attempts to quit consuming the substance, they will actually experience a withdrawal which includes anxiety, nausea, and similar symptoms. It is not uncommon from an alcohol and drug counselor to relate alcohol withdrawal to the withdrawal that many people experience when they cease engaging in recreational drug activity.

Drug Addiction Featured Stories 

These drug abuse stories change daily, check back often

Bonus Tip: And now I would like to invite you to access our free mini-course on the 5 most common mistakes people make in addiction recovery. To gain instant access, visit us at: http://TheRecoveryClub.com

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New Guestbook 

Lensmaster

Addictions wrote

Hi i would like to you inform about the Addiction, First of all, have you even realized you need to break free from your addictions? If not, now is the time to make a conscious decision about regaining control over yourself by really trying to kick your harmful habit NOW...

Reply Posted February 06, 2008

marlene3 wrote...

Nice lens and interesting - Keep up the good work,
stay encourage and God Bless. Thanks, Marlene
http://www.squidoo.com/drugged

ReplyPosted August 23, 2007

marlene3 wrote...

Very nice lens, content easy to follow and clearly written. Real Nice Work.... Keep up the good work. Thanks, Marlene

ReplyPosted August 13, 2007

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by billurell

Hello. I'm Bill Urell,an addictions therapist at a leading residential treatment center. I teach healthy life styles and life skills. I have 15 y...

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