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What is Chemical Dependency?

Chemical dependency is a psychological, and sometimes physical, need to use alcohol or other drugs that doesn't go away even when using them causes negative consequences. It is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors that influence its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal.

Characteristics of Chemical Dependency

Chemical dependency is characterized by continuous or periodic:

Loss of control over drinking or using
Increased tolerance for alcohol and/or drugs (although sometimes a loss of tolerance occurs in later stages)
Preoccupation with alcohol and/or drugs
Use despite negative consequences
Distortions in thinking (such as denial)

Primary, Chronic, and Progressive Dependency

Chemical dependency is a primary disease. It is a disease in addition to, and separate from, other medical problems that may be associated with it. Chemical dependency is not a symptom of an underlying disease state, and it can happen to anyone.

Chemical dependency is chronic. A person who has developed the disease of chemical dependency will have it for life. This condition can't be cured, but it can be treated.

Chemical dependency is progressive. The physical, emotional, and social problems associated with chemical dependency continue to get worse unless alcohol and/or drug use is stopped. Those problems are often cumulative and appear to progress as the use of chemicals continues. Left untreated, the disease results in premature death from associated health problems, accidents or other traumatic events.

Permanent Brain Changes

Many have a hard time believing that their addiction has caused a permanent change in their brain chemistry, preventing them from being able to use normally again. They have to test this for themselves many times before they prove to themselves that they cannot drink and/or use drugs in a non-addicted way. Until they are convinced that they cannot control their use, they rarely begin the road to recovery.

Addressing Chemical Dependency

Chemically dependent people can control their disease by learning better ways to address their problems and by learning ways to avoid returning to the use of alcohol and/or drugs. By achieving an ultimate goal of abstinence, the chemically dependent person can control the disease.

References

NCADD-Definition of Alcoholism
http://www.ncadd.org/defalc.html

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