What is addiction?
Addiction is a scary word that has all sorts of connotations attached to it. Understanding the meaning of addiction might help you understand why your drug use has had a negative impact on your life.
"One is too many. I know if I went and I had a blast, I’d be screwed again." Greg
Drug addiction is generally characterized by an overwhelming desire or compulsion to continue taking a drug despite the negative impact on the user’s life.
There are many different models of explaining addiction but it is becoming more and more accepted to take a holistic approach to understanding it.
A holistic approach to drug addiction acknowledges the interaction between the biological, psychological, and social aspects of addiction. Many physicians and treatment providers also include spirituality in the treatment of drug addiction.
Drug addiction is progressive in nature – it will get worse over time – which is why it is so important to seek help as soon as possible.
Addiction is sometimes viewed as a disease because there is something within the addict that makes it impossible to control their use of drugs.
It is also important to remember addiction isn’t a moral deficiency or a lack of willpower. Think about it for a moment, have you ever told yourself "I won’t use today" only to find yourself on the phone to your dealer hours later? Addicts have an uncontrollable urge to use drugs at all cost. This does not mean they are a bad person or fundamentally flawed. Recovery from addiction isn’t just stopping using drugs – recovery means creating a new life where it’s easier not to use.
"You cannot control drugs, drugs control you. It doesn’t matter whether that drug is in a bottle, served over a counter, gained illicitly somehow. It makes no difference." Stuart
"I was trapped because I couldn't really see a way of not using. How would that work? So I needed to use." Jacki
