The public misunderstands what addiction even means. It’s not a synonym for “bad habit,” nor are drugs and alcohol the only things to which one can get addicted. Here’s a definition accepted by addictions professionals:
Addiction is the repeated involvement with a substance or activity, despite the substantial harm it now causes, because that involvement was (and may continue to be) pleasurable and/or valuable. Source
Addiction, by definition, is harmful to the addict in at least one life domain. Here are some practical examples:
- Occupational: addiction causes job loss, problems with productivity, interpersonal conflicts with colleagues, etc.
- Social: addictive behaviors ruin romantic, familial, or platonic relationships. These include lying, stealing, dishonesty, compulsive actions, threats and/or violent behaviors.
- Financial: addiction is expensive. Addicts frequently neglect to pay bills to finance their drug use.
- Legal: addictive behaviors are often illegal (i.e., possession or trafficking of illicit substances).
- Psychological: Prolonged substance abuse can worsen anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and psychotic tendencies.
- Physical: Sustained substance abuse results in an array of physical health problems, from poor sleep hygiene to the life-threatening diseases such as hepatitis.
Some of these problems are easy to spot; some are not. It’s important to keep in mind that not all addicts look and act the same.
Plenty of so-called “high-functioning” addicts can maintain a job, go to the gym, and pay their bills. But they might be compromising their mental and physical health, which is often hard to see in others.
There’s a reason millions of addicts and alcoholics attend support groups like AA. Kicking an addiction is hard. And it’s usually next to impossible to quit without considerable support and effort.
The Centers for Disease Control reports over 150,000 drug and alcohol fatalities in the United States every year. This is serious stuff. And it’s important to have good information so you don’t end up making things worse.
It’s a process. Don’t rush