As he continues to drink or use drugs, his body continues to adapt to the presence of the drugs. This is when the newly created addict begins to experience drug cravings. He will experience an overwhelming obsession with getting and using his drugs, and will do anything to avoid the pain of withdrawing from them.

He has crossed an invisibile and intangible line. He is now a drug addict or alcoholic.

Progression of Addiction

As his alcoholism or drug addiction progresses, he will become increasingly haggard and ill-tempered. He will be riding on a drug or alcohol induced emotional roller-coaster which may actually be mistaken for mental illness. He may seem very "up" and enthusiastic when he is high, but when the drugs wear off, he becomes depressed and lethargic. He may go into a drug-induced depression. At this point, the addict is stuck in a vicious downward spiral. He faces the problem of having to find money to buy drugs and to attempt to appear normal to his friends, family and employer. Whether he wants to stop or not, he is now trapped. By now, the drugs he abuses will have changed him both physically and mentally.

Personality Changes

Long-term alcoholism and drug addiction can cause one's personality to change. This is called the Biochemical Personality. Some of the characteristics are:

• Mood swings
• Unreliable. Unable to finish projects.
• Unexpressed resentment and secret hatreds.
• Dishonesty. Lies to family, friends, employers.
• Withdraws from those who love him. Isolates self.
• May appear chronically depressed.
• May begin stealing from family and friends.

Addicts cannot stop using drugs for two reasons. These are:

1. Cravings caused by drug residues which remain in the body.

2. The Biochemical Personality caused by drugs and the lifestyle of the addict.

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