Addictions - an Illness in Which a Person Seeks and Consumes a Substance

Introduction

Addiction is an illness in which a person seeks and consumes a substance, such as alcohol, tobacco or a drug, despite the fact that it causes harm. In order to fully understand addiction, we must first understand why or how one could become addicted. Peer pressure, curiosity, attraction, release of inhibitions and relaxation are some of the reason of addiction. There are many types of addictions, but the focus in this paper will be drug and alcohol abuse.

Alcohol and other drug dependence are a primary, chronic, progressive and potentially fatal disease. Its effects are systemic, predictable and unique. Without intervention and treatment, the disease runs an inexorable course marked by progressive crippling of mental, physical, and spiritual functioning with a devastating impact on all sectors of life- social, family, financial, vocational, educational, moral/spiritual, and legal.

Drug Addiction is a complex illness. For many people, drug addiction becomes chronic, with relapse possible even after long periods of abstinence.

Alcohol and drug addiction is successfully treatable, and in the domain of public health, subject to prevention measures. Alcohol and drug dependence is not a mental illness or a behavioral health problem. It is a primary disease entity distinct from mental disorders. It should not be trivialized as a behavioral problem arising from personality disorders. In order to fully understand addiction, we must know more about the drug, and its related problems, short and long-term effects, and treatment programs.

Alcohol Addiction

Nearly half of all Americans over the age of 12 are consumers of alcohol. Although most drink only occasionally or moderately, there are an estimated 10 to 15 million alcoholics or problem drinkers in the United States, with more than 100,000 deaths each year attributed to alcohol. Among the nation's alcoholics and problem drinkers are as many as 4.5 million adolescents, and adolescents are disproportionately involved in alcohol-related automobile accidents, the leading cause of death among Americans 15 to 24 years old (Rael Verheal, 2000).

The impact of alcohol and drugs on American life is far reaching. It is estimated that over 10 million American adults and 3 million American teens are in need of alcohol treatment and have alcohol related problems. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences estimates that alcoholism and alcohol abuse in the United States cost society from $40 to $60 billion annually, due to the lost production, health and medical care and alcohol treatment, motor vehicle accidents, violent crime, and social programs that respond to alcohol problems.

For most people who drink, alcohol is a pleasant accompaniment to social activities. Moderate alcohol use up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people is not harmful for most adults. Nonetheless, a large number of people get into serious trouble because of their drinking and may require alcohol treatment. Currently, nearly 1 in every 13 adults abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. Several million more adults engage in risky drinking that could lead to alcohol problems. These patterns include binge drinking and heavy drinking on a regular basis. In addition, 53 percent of men and women in the United States report that one or more of their close relatives have a drinking problem (Rael Verheal, 2000).

The consequences of alcohol misuse are serious in many cases, life threatening. Heavy drinking can increase the risk for certain cancers, especially those of the liver, esophagus, throat, and larynx. Heavy drinking can also cause liver cirrhosis, immune system problems, brain damage, and harm to the fetus during pregnancy. In addition, drinking increases the risk of death from automobile crashes as well as recreational and on the job injuries. Also, both homicides and suicides are more likely to be committed by persons who have been drinking.

Alcoholism can be treated. Even if an alcoholic has been sober for a long time and has regained health, he or she remains susceptible to relapse and must continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages. Cutting down on drinking doesn't usually work; cutting out alcohol completely is necessary for a successful recovery.

However, even individuals who are determined to stay sober may suffer one or several relapses, before achieving long-term sobriety. Relapses are very common and do not mean that a person has failed or cannot recover from alcoholism. Keep in mind, that every day that a recovering alcoholic has stayed sober prior to a relapse is extremely valuable time, both to the individual and to his or her family.

Drug Addiction

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