Defining Addiction According to Professionals

For the average layperson, determining just what addiction is can be a very tricky thing. Fortunately, the experts are on hand to help.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “addiction means using a substance repeatedly, despite knowing and experiencing its harmful effects. The person using the substance cannot control the urge to use it and needs increasing amounts to achieve the effect he craves. On abruptly stopping use of the substance, the person can experience withdrawal effects like watering of nose and eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, sleep disturbances, aches and pains and epileptic fits.”

In addition to the short-term negative consequences listed above, drug addiction can also have many long-term effects from a higher likelihood of developing tuberculosis, kidney and liver problems and other infections including AIDS. Not all problems are physical. Mental illnesses include psychosis, depression and anxiety disorders. There are usually social consequences as well as the addicted person drifts from friends and family in an effort to hide unacceptable behaviors he or she falls into to support the habit.

With so many negatives, it’s difficult for the experts to explain why so many people become addicted in the first place. “We do know that social, psychological and physical factors interact with the personality of the individual to determine this pattern of behavior,” WHO reports. “It is also known that if the parents of an individual are addicted to drugs, the chances of the child acquiring this problem are higher than those whose parents are not.” An individual often starts using during adolescence. Sometimes it’s a way to declare independence or escape from the difficulties of adolescence. It often begins recreationally, as a seemingly quick escape from personal problems or boredom.

Drug Rehab at The Canyon

If you need help with treatment resources for a friend or loved one who is battling addiction, call The Canyon at the toll-free number on our homepage, 877.714.1319. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day.