Characteristics of Addiction

Three aspects that characterize addiction are:

1. Loss of control: The user cannot predict what will happen when he uses the substance. One day he may be able to stop after one drink, or after one line of cocaine; the next day he may not be able to control his use at all.

2. Compulsive preoccupation: The addict spends a great deal of time thinking about the substance.

3. Continued use despite negative consequences: If drinking or drug use causes problems but one continues to do it, one is tempting addiction or is already addicted. The person has lost voluntary control of the use of that substance.

A nonuser or casual alcohol/drug user may have difficulty understanding why addicts don't just stop. Use and abuse of psychoactive (mood-altering) drugs seem to be voluntary; addiction seems to be characterized by involuntary, compulsive use. In most cases, drug addicts don't stop because they are addicted. They cannot stop on their own.

[See Cycle of Addiction]

1 in 10 Becomes Addicted

The rate of addiction varies from substance to substance. Crack cocaine, for example, has a much higher potential for addiction than other drugs. It is estimated that about one of every 10 people who uses a psychoactive substance will become addicted. Generally 10 percent of the population will have difficulty stopping their use by themselves. Many will need professional help or the help of a support group.

The 90 percent who use drugs or alcohol but do not become addicted also have an impact on society. The use and abuse of mood-altering drugs contribute to the overburdening of the health care, criminal justice, and educational systems. Both users and abusers have the potential for driving under the influence, overdosing, committing crimes to support their use and abuse, and contributing to family discord and violence.

What Causes Addiction?

There has been controversy over the cause of addiction. Historically, it was thought that addiction was caused by lack of willpower, by poverty, moral weakness, mental illness, genetics, family socialization, anti-social personalities, and societal problems. Some scientists believe drug addiction is a disease, although the evidence to support this theory is weak.

• The Drug: Some drugs are more addictive than others. This is due to the pharmacology of the substance, and how it affects the mood of the user.

• The Addict: People who have low self-concepts, who feel bad about themselves, have a higher rate of addiction. People with low self-concepts use psychoactive substances either to enhance or create pleasure in their lives, or to decrease the constant emotional pain they live with. The better a person feels about himself, the less likely he will be to use or abuse psychoactive substances. A society that has easy access to drugs, that has a population that is "addiction-prone" due to genetics or emotional pain, and that has pro-use or unclear norms, is a society prone to addiction.

• The Environment: In our biochemical society, we hear mixed messages about the use of psychoactive drugs. Some, such as alcohol and tabacco, are accepted, while use of hard drugs is condemned. Some drug use is glamorized in the media, while different states have different standards for public intoxication. All of this makes it easier for people to accept drug use as "normal".

Intervention — How You Can Help

An drug addict usually does not know he is out of control. He looks at his drug-using peers and his own use appears normal in comparison. He needs objective feedback on his behavior.

It was once thought that an alcoholic or other drug abuser had to "hit bottom" before help could be offered and accepted; that a drug addict could only get better if he was self-motivated to change. This has changed to the view that a skilled professional counselor can motivate an addict toward recovery. This is called intervention.

Intervention is a process that helps an addict recognize the extent of his problem. Through a non-judgmental, non-critical, systematic process, the drug addict is confronted with the impact of his alcoholism or drug use on others. The goal of intervention is for him to accept the reality of his drug addiction and to seek help. Most prevention and treatment facilities can help arrange an intervention and assist the addicted person and his family in finding appropriate treatment.

Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provide continuing support for people with drug and alcohol problems. These "fellowship" programs exist in most communities and are free of charge. The only requirements are a willingness to choose total abstinence, and acceptance of recovery through fellowship with other recovering people, one day at a time. Fellowship groups are a valuable resource for the addict, his family and friends. The telephone numbers of local chapters of AA, CA, and NA are in the phone book.

Conclusion

Drug abuse is the excessive use of legal mood-altering substances and the use of illegal drugs. Drug addiction is the extreme end of a continuum that starts with the first use of drugs or alcohol, and progresses through experimentation and abuse to addiction.

Professional treatment and prevention programs and community-based organizations are available to help the addict and his family. These resources can help with education, intervention, and treatment of the addict and those who care about him.

Why Narconon Works

The Narconon Story

Our History of Success

Need Help Now?