Addiction: Drug Rehabilitation Facts

Question: What would you characterize an addiction to be..?

(Posted by: on 2010-07-22 07:57:48)

Could you give points.. For example if a person had an obsession with alcohol but could go 2- 4 days without drinking a drop of alcohol (through there own will power) would you still categorize that person of having an addiction to alcohol??..

Posted by: Ouch on 2010-07-22, 08:07:46

Well you must consider that there are 2 elements to any addiction. First, is the physical addiction and then there is the mental one. Although it is extremely difficult to get off of an addiction physically as is the case with hardcore drugs like heroin where the body reacts violently and without proper medical attention the person coming off may even die, the mental addiction is much more severe. Could you imagine struggling every waking moment of everyday just fighting yourself to not get high? I mean after a period of time your body doesnt need nor crave the drug anymore but your mind odes. This is where only the strongest of the strong persevere. Dealing with the mental addiction is a living hell that never goes away thats why it is almost garunteed that people who try to clean will undoubtedly have many relapses and often they never really do cleanup. I would say the person you mentioned with the alcohol thing is an alcoholic but on the less extreme scale of it because although he is not drinking he is fighting the want through his will power.

Posted by: mrs g3 on 2010-07-22, 08:03:41

I would, because they DO go back. If they could go a year or more without drinking, I think there is no addiction. I am an alcohlic, but a highly functioning one...I never miss work because I never get hangovers. My family life does not suffer because ALL of us drink. I don't have random hookups, I don't spend horrific amounts in bars because I drink at home..unfortunately, there are few reasons to make me NOT drink.

Posted by: Baxteph on 2010-07-22, 08:06:02

Its more about the reactions your mind and body take after the consumption that categorizes it as an addiction. You can say "I sure want/ need a beer " but I do not think that is the addiction. The addiction is after you have the beer and your mind/ body reacts in a way that is compulsive. People not addicted to booze can do the whole 1 or 2 beers and be cool with just going on with their day no problem. Someone addicted to booze has that first beer and just wants more and more.

Posted by: Anna on 2010-07-22, 08:39:20

When someone is completely dependent and obsessed with something. psychologically-speaking it would be difficult for them to function normally without that thing