Addiction: What does it mean?
The term "addiction" is used - often overused - in all sorts
of ways. You hear about people being addicted to a lot of things -
to tv, to the computer, to video games, to hockey. All people really
mean is that the person is obsessively taken to a particular interest
or activity. When it comes to alcohol and other drugs, though, "addiction" takes
on a more specific meaning.
What is important to understand is that there may be physical, emotional,
social or legal risks and consequences in taking alcohol and other
drugs. A person may experience a range of problems when these risks
and consequences happen in his or her life.
Let's try to understand this more by explaining the following terms
which are often misunderstood: addiction, drug dependence, substance
abuse and substance use.
Characteristics of a person who is "addicted" to
taking drugs and/or alcohol:
- the person repeatedly takes substances
- they are periodically or chronically intoxicated, which means that
the person is stoned and/or drunk most or all of the time
- the person shows an irresistible urge to take substance(s)
- they have great difficulty in voluntarily stopping or cutting down
their use
- he or she is determined to obtain substances by almost any means.
Drug Dependence
You may also have heard of "drug dependence." While it almost
means the same as addiction, this term generally refers to a person
taking repeated doses of substances to feel good or to avoid feeling
bad (both physically and psychologically). Even if taking substances
causes problems, this person may not be able to stop.
A person may become addicted or dependent from using / abusing alcohol
and/or other drugs without realizing that certain problems come from
this use.
Regardless of whether a person calls it addiction, abuse, dependence,
or use, the most important thing to remember is that taking these substances
causes or contributes to problems in a person's life. He or she needs
to understand this and get help to deal with these problems.
Links:
Lexicon
of alcohol and drug terms
This site is useful if you're finishing high school or you're already
in university and you need to do some research.
Drugs:
Know the Facts, Cut Your Risks
A gold mine of information on substance use and suitable
for all youth.
Need
Help?
List of organizations willing and ready to help you if and when you
need help.
