Chemical Addiction Causes
Running Head: THE CAUSES AND RECOVERY FROM CHEMICAL ADDICTION
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction
Dozier, Tommy O
Argosy University/Atlanta
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 2
Chemical addiction is the least researched in the medical field. The problem is that chemical addiction is a growing epidemic in urban cities. Chemical addiction has many names, but everyone agrees that it is an enormous problem. Chemical addiction can be treated and arrested and then recovery is possible. There is a lack of education as to the causes of chemical addiction. A person will deny the existence of the addiction which further adds to the growing epidemic. There …show more content…
is also a lack of effective treatment for the addicted individual. There is billions of dollars spent every year on illegal drugs. Some studies show that over $245 billion is the economic cost of alcohol and drug abuse every year. This estimate is inclusive of the substance abuse treatment, decreased work productivity, and lost job time. The $245 billion also includes the cost associated with drug-related crimes, and the expenditures for social welfare programs. Emergency room visits have increased because of the illegal use of alcohol and other drugs. Morbidity and mortality rates have increased because of people being addicted to chemicals and them not getting effective treatment. The National Household Survey estimates that over 13
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 3
million people in the United States use illicit drugs and that 10% of the U.S. population is dependent on alcohol use. Deaths from drug overdose have increased over the years (Compton, Thomas, Conway, Colliver, 2005). What is chemical dependency? Psychologist, psychiatrist, sociologist and many other disciplines have definitions of chemical dependency. One of the most popular definitions is: chemical dependency is a reoccurring compulsion to obtain and use psychoactive substances despite the short-term and long-term negative consequences. A more useful definition of a chemically dependent person comes from The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) that was developed by the American Psychiatric Association. According to the DSM a person can be considered dependent if three or more of the following behaviors are present: 1. Tolerance to a psychoactive substance.
2. Withdrawal signs and symptoms when the substance is withheld.
3. The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than was intended.
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 4
4. Unsuccessful efforts, or a persistent desire, to cut down or control substance use.
5. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance or recover from its effects.
6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.
7. Continued substance use despite knowledge of having persistent or recurring physical or psychological problems that are likely to be caused or exacerbated by the substance. Regardless of the definition, the person who is chemically dependent has a constant craving for, and preoccupation with, the drug. The person uses more of the drug than is necessary to become intoxicated. The addicted person looses interest in and is not motivated to participate in normal life activities. The person develops a tolerance to the drug. If the person cannot get the drug they develop withdrawal signs and symptoms(DSM 2013).
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 5
There is not one cause but many causes of a person getting addicted to chemicals. Why do some people use drugs despite the negative consequences in their lives? Why do they make getting and using drugs the focus of their lives? Why do they do it despite the emotional, personal, social, medical and societal damage that is caused in their lives? There has been a vast amount of effort and research directed towards uncovering the root cause(s) of chemical dependency. Biological, psychological, and sociological reasons for this affliction have all been advanced, and strong arguments can be made for each of these as major contributors to the genesis of, and continued presence of chemical dependency. Current thinking is that there is no one cause of chemical dependency and that chemical dependency is a brain disease that is behaviorally expressed within a social context. More work has to be done. The true basis for chemical dependency is not known. There is some evidence that genetics plays a role in chemical dependency. Most of the data on genetics and dependency has been done on research into alcohol. There is strong evidence for a genetic basis for chemical dependency on other drugs as well. Research has shown that children of alcoholics have a 3 to 4
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 6
fold risk of developing alcoholism. Studies of twins appear to support a genetic basis for addiction, as do adoption studies of twins raised by different families(Anthenelli, Schuckit 1997). These studies have generated interest in finding an alcohol or addictive gene or biochemical markers that are responsible for the development of alcoholism or chemical dependency. Presently there is no clear implication that genetics are the cause of chemical dependency. There are some indicators that genetics do play a role in chemical dependency. Some sources place the contribution of genetics to chemical dependency at 40-60% (Volkow 2005). The most likely conclusion is that chemical dependency is very genetically complex and there is probably many, many genes involved. There is some evidence that socio-culture has some influence on chemical addiction. Chemical dependency has dramatically increased in large urban areas. Employment opportunities for unskilled or modestly skilled workers have decreased dramatically. This has added to mental frustration and an increase in chemical dependency. Because of the decline in manufacturing and labor intensive jobs, many of these disenfranchised people feel that the American Dream is not within their reach, many of them have resorted to self medicating to
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 7 numb the mental pain. The urban family structure has shifted, and a lot of minorities have been negatively affected by this. Many of these families are now headed by single women and this shift in family structure is strongly correlated with poverty and other social pathologies. These factors contribute to a poor population, undereducated people that live in substandard housing, and they are serviced by substandard institutions, which is a breeding ground for substance abuse(Johnson, Muffler, Lowinson,Ruiz, Millman, Langrod 1997). These factors create a sub-culture where substance abuse is relatively common, and this is a well-recognized risk factor for the development of chemical dependency. There are many psychological influences on chemical dependency. There have been many attempts to discover and outline the “addictive personality.” However, despite all these efforts, finding and defining the addictive personality has not been successful. People who are chemically dependent are diverse; there is no one psychological profile that accounts for the enormous variety of addictive behaviors. However, there are some clearly recognized personal risk factors that are strongly associated with the development of chemical dependency:
History of sexual and/or physical abuse.
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 8
Early onset of experimentation with psychoactive drugs.
Low self-esteem.
A propensity for risk-taking behavior.
Impulsivity.
Antisocial behavior.
Male gender.
Mental disorders such as schizophrenia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder.
Perfectionism.
Inability to delay gratification.
The lack of education by individuals, love ones, and society has greatly contributed to the rise of chemical dependency in large urban cities . (Hoffman, Froemke 2007). An individual will deny the existence of their chemical addiction. Denial is a defense mechanism that includes a range of psychological maneuvers designed to reduce awareness of the fact that alcohol and drug use is the cause of an individual 's problems rather than a solution
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 9 to those problems. Typically an alcoholic or addict is the last to admit that they may have a drinking or drug abuse problem. Denial becomes an integral part of the disease process of chemical dependency, a major obstacle to recovery, and a precipitous factor in relapse events. Denial is very cunning and baffling. It will tell the addicted person that they do not have a problem. There is very little help for a person that is in denial. They cannot become engaged in the recovery process. A person cannot work on a problem unless they accept that the problem exist. The disease of addiction cannot be cured but it can be arrested and then treatment is possible. The disease is far more complex than the mere use and abuse of mood-altering chemicals and recovery is far more complex than just becoming abstinent. Unfortunately, many addicts and alcoholics believe that if they can just get drug and alcohol free they will be o.k. and can turn their life around. Detox alone is rarely enough. In order to maintain abstinence one must make personal, interpersonal, and lifestyle changes. These take time-- in fact, most
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 10 professionals and recovering addicts and alcoholics believe that recovery from the disease of chemical dependency is a life-long process.
There are two types of denial that will be covered:
Type A Denial is when a person sees, understands, and knows that they definitely have a problem. When they are confronted about the problem they deny having any problem but deep down inside of themselves they know that they have a problem. This type of denial is outright dishonesty or lying.
Type B Denial is when a person is either partially or totally blind to the problem that they have. This type of person uses self deception, rationalization, justification and excuse making to make themselves believe that they do not have a problem. These type of people honestly believe that they do not have a problem, and that they are being misunderstood. Their denial is based on being honestly dishonest, not on being a …show more content…
liar. It is important to understand that denial can be both on an intellectual and a spiritual level. It is very common in the addiction arena to see a person that intellectually accepts being addicted but this same person
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 11
does not really believe it in their innermost spiritual sole. This is the type of person that constantly returns to their addictive behaviors, much to their amazement and much to the amazement of the people around them. Intellectual denial is usually based on a lack of understanding. This is the type of person that thinks an addict is a degenerate who lives on skid row. They believe that an addict is the type of person that is always panhandling and drinks cheap wine. This type of person believes that anyone who works, takes care of their family, pays the bills, and lives in a nice house couldn 't possibly be an addict. They have an intellectual definition of what an addict is, and therein lies their problem. Spiritual denial is even more difficult to deal with than intellectual denial. Spiritual denial is so hard to see. This type of denial will lock a person into compliance blocking any possibility for recovery. The process of internalizing a new truth is a very difficult undertaking for an addicted person. Even in the most ideal situations or conditions it will sometimes take months before an addict will accept a new truth in their innermost self. This is why ongoing support groups are critical to the recovery process. Internal acceptance of
The Causes & Recover From Chemical Addiction 12
chemical dependency requires a conversion in the belief system, which is the innermost self(spirit).
This internal acceptance is a process, not an event. Once the seed has been planted that the person has a chemical dependency problem, it needs time to root. It also needs proper nourishment for growth and maturity. It does not happen overnight. The person has to admit by their own words that they have a chemical dependency problem. Then and only then can the recovery process begin. Complete recovery requires interpersonal and lifestyle changes that take time and often requires the help of qualified therapist and counselors, as well as good peer support groups. Once a person admits they have a chemical dependency problem or they are mandated into treatment, the next step is to find a qualified effective treatment center. There are several sources that will assist the individual to find an effective treatment center:
The National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center can be reached anytime toll-free at 1-800-784-6776
The Causes & Recover From Chemical Addiction 13
The National Association of Drug & Alcohol Interventionist can be reached anytime at
1-215-228-8911. National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors can be reached anytime at 1-703-741-7686.
These organizations will recommend the leading treatment centers in the person 's area. They maintain a continuous updated national database of chemical dependency treatment centers in the United States and around the world(Cami J, Farre M 2003). The addicted person has to be willing to go to any lengths to maintain their sobriety. An effective tool in maintaining recovery is for the addicted person to always prioritize their life and their activities in living a chemical free life. The principle is based on four(4) points of balance. The addicted person 's number one priority in life has to be their recovery and their spirituality. The addicted person 's number two priority in life has to be their family and loved ones. The number three priority has to be their health. The addicted person 's fourth priority is their job or career. It has been proven that if the addicted person keeps their life in this priority, they will
The Causes & Recover From Chemical Addiction 14
keep their disease arrested and achieve some long term recovery. Sobriety without recovery(changing from the inside out) will usually lead to a relapse; it is only a matter of time. Another important tool in the recovery process is active participation in a recovery support fellowship of the person 's choice. Getting involved is the fastest and easiest way to maintain recovery. There are dozens of things that the addicted person can do to establish a growing commitment in their recovery program. The more active a person is in their recovery program, the less likely they are to return to their addictive behavior. The proper level of commitment varies between different people. The important thing to understand is that each person needs to find their own healthy level of involvement based on their own particular needs. Chemical addiction is on the rise in most urban cities. Based on my research findings there is a lack of education about chemical addiction. Most people do not know the many causes that can contribute to chemical addiction. Denial by the addicted individual adds to the rise of chemical
The Causes & Recover From Chemical Addiction 15
addiction in urban cities. Once an individual admits and accepts the addiction, they do not know where to go to find effective treatment. Recovery from chemical addiction is tricky business. The number one symptom is denial. The addiction will deny its own existence. It keeps good people in everlasting blindness destroying any chance for healthy change. It will fight viciously for its survival all the way to insanity, institutionalization and even death. The disease is not threatened by a person trying to overcome it by themselves, in fact it welcomes it. The last thing that the disease wants is for the person to join together with other people who are dedicated to destroying it.
References
Compton WM, Thomas YF, Conway KP, Colliver JD. 2005, Developments in the epidemiology of drug use and drug use disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry 162:1494-1502. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM V, 5th ed (2013). American Psychiatric Association. Anthenelli RM, Schuckit MA. Genetics. In :Lowinson JH, Ruiz PR, Millman RB, Langrod JG, eds. Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook. 3rd ed(1997). Philadelphia: Williams & Wilkins; 41-51. Volkow ND, (2005). What do we know about drug addiction? American Journal of Psychiatry; 162: 1401-1402. Retrieved from website. Johnson BD, Muffler J. Sociocultural. In: Lowinson JH, Ruiz PR, Millman RB, Langrod JG, eds. Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook. 3rd ed (1997). Philadelphia: Williams & Wilkins: 107-118. Hoffman J, Froemke S, (2007) Addiction: Why Can 't They Just Stop? Emmaus, PA:Rodale
References
Cami J, Farre M. Drug Addiction. New England Journal of Medicine. 2003; 349: 975-986. Retrieved from website. Olmedo R, Hoffman RS. Withdrawal syndromes(2000). Emergency Medical Clinics of North America; 18: 273-288.
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction
Dozier, Tommy O
Argosy University/Atlanta
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 2
Chemical addiction is the least researched in the medical field. The problem is that chemical addiction is a growing epidemic in urban cities. Chemical addiction has many names, but everyone agrees that it is an enormous problem. Chemical addiction can be treated and arrested and then recovery is possible. There is a lack of education as to the causes of chemical addiction. A person will deny the existence of the addiction which further adds to the growing epidemic. There …show more content…
is also a lack of effective treatment for the addicted individual. There is billions of dollars spent every year on illegal drugs. Some studies show that over $245 billion is the economic cost of alcohol and drug abuse every year. This estimate is inclusive of the substance abuse treatment, decreased work productivity, and lost job time. The $245 billion also includes the cost associated with drug-related crimes, and the expenditures for social welfare programs. Emergency room visits have increased because of the illegal use of alcohol and other drugs. Morbidity and mortality rates have increased because of people being addicted to chemicals and them not getting effective treatment. The National Household Survey estimates that over 13
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 3
million people in the United States use illicit drugs and that 10% of the U.S. population is dependent on alcohol use. Deaths from drug overdose have increased over the years (Compton, Thomas, Conway, Colliver, 2005). What is chemical dependency? Psychologist, psychiatrist, sociologist and many other disciplines have definitions of chemical dependency. One of the most popular definitions is: chemical dependency is a reoccurring compulsion to obtain and use psychoactive substances despite the short-term and long-term negative consequences. A more useful definition of a chemically dependent person comes from The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) that was developed by the American Psychiatric Association. According to the DSM a person can be considered dependent if three or more of the following behaviors are present: 1. Tolerance to a psychoactive substance.
2. Withdrawal signs and symptoms when the substance is withheld.
3. The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than was intended.
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 4
4. Unsuccessful efforts, or a persistent desire, to cut down or control substance use.
5. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance or recover from its effects.
6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.
7. Continued substance use despite knowledge of having persistent or recurring physical or psychological problems that are likely to be caused or exacerbated by the substance. Regardless of the definition, the person who is chemically dependent has a constant craving for, and preoccupation with, the drug. The person uses more of the drug than is necessary to become intoxicated. The addicted person looses interest in and is not motivated to participate in normal life activities. The person develops a tolerance to the drug. If the person cannot get the drug they develop withdrawal signs and symptoms(DSM 2013).
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 5
There is not one cause but many causes of a person getting addicted to chemicals. Why do some people use drugs despite the negative consequences in their lives? Why do they make getting and using drugs the focus of their lives? Why do they do it despite the emotional, personal, social, medical and societal damage that is caused in their lives? There has been a vast amount of effort and research directed towards uncovering the root cause(s) of chemical dependency. Biological, psychological, and sociological reasons for this affliction have all been advanced, and strong arguments can be made for each of these as major contributors to the genesis of, and continued presence of chemical dependency. Current thinking is that there is no one cause of chemical dependency and that chemical dependency is a brain disease that is behaviorally expressed within a social context. More work has to be done. The true basis for chemical dependency is not known. There is some evidence that genetics plays a role in chemical dependency. Most of the data on genetics and dependency has been done on research into alcohol. There is strong evidence for a genetic basis for chemical dependency on other drugs as well. Research has shown that children of alcoholics have a 3 to 4
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 6
fold risk of developing alcoholism. Studies of twins appear to support a genetic basis for addiction, as do adoption studies of twins raised by different families(Anthenelli, Schuckit 1997). These studies have generated interest in finding an alcohol or addictive gene or biochemical markers that are responsible for the development of alcoholism or chemical dependency. Presently there is no clear implication that genetics are the cause of chemical dependency. There are some indicators that genetics do play a role in chemical dependency. Some sources place the contribution of genetics to chemical dependency at 40-60% (Volkow 2005). The most likely conclusion is that chemical dependency is very genetically complex and there is probably many, many genes involved. There is some evidence that socio-culture has some influence on chemical addiction. Chemical dependency has dramatically increased in large urban areas. Employment opportunities for unskilled or modestly skilled workers have decreased dramatically. This has added to mental frustration and an increase in chemical dependency. Because of the decline in manufacturing and labor intensive jobs, many of these disenfranchised people feel that the American Dream is not within their reach, many of them have resorted to self medicating to
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 7 numb the mental pain. The urban family structure has shifted, and a lot of minorities have been negatively affected by this. Many of these families are now headed by single women and this shift in family structure is strongly correlated with poverty and other social pathologies. These factors contribute to a poor population, undereducated people that live in substandard housing, and they are serviced by substandard institutions, which is a breeding ground for substance abuse(Johnson, Muffler, Lowinson,Ruiz, Millman, Langrod 1997). These factors create a sub-culture where substance abuse is relatively common, and this is a well-recognized risk factor for the development of chemical dependency. There are many psychological influences on chemical dependency. There have been many attempts to discover and outline the “addictive personality.” However, despite all these efforts, finding and defining the addictive personality has not been successful. People who are chemically dependent are diverse; there is no one psychological profile that accounts for the enormous variety of addictive behaviors. However, there are some clearly recognized personal risk factors that are strongly associated with the development of chemical dependency:
History of sexual and/or physical abuse.
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 8
Early onset of experimentation with psychoactive drugs.
Low self-esteem.
A propensity for risk-taking behavior.
Impulsivity.
Antisocial behavior.
Male gender.
Mental disorders such as schizophrenia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder.
Perfectionism.
Inability to delay gratification.
The lack of education by individuals, love ones, and society has greatly contributed to the rise of chemical dependency in large urban cities . (Hoffman, Froemke 2007). An individual will deny the existence of their chemical addiction. Denial is a defense mechanism that includes a range of psychological maneuvers designed to reduce awareness of the fact that alcohol and drug use is the cause of an individual 's problems rather than a solution
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 9 to those problems. Typically an alcoholic or addict is the last to admit that they may have a drinking or drug abuse problem. Denial becomes an integral part of the disease process of chemical dependency, a major obstacle to recovery, and a precipitous factor in relapse events. Denial is very cunning and baffling. It will tell the addicted person that they do not have a problem. There is very little help for a person that is in denial. They cannot become engaged in the recovery process. A person cannot work on a problem unless they accept that the problem exist. The disease of addiction cannot be cured but it can be arrested and then treatment is possible. The disease is far more complex than the mere use and abuse of mood-altering chemicals and recovery is far more complex than just becoming abstinent. Unfortunately, many addicts and alcoholics believe that if they can just get drug and alcohol free they will be o.k. and can turn their life around. Detox alone is rarely enough. In order to maintain abstinence one must make personal, interpersonal, and lifestyle changes. These take time-- in fact, most
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 10 professionals and recovering addicts and alcoholics believe that recovery from the disease of chemical dependency is a life-long process.
There are two types of denial that will be covered:
Type A Denial is when a person sees, understands, and knows that they definitely have a problem. When they are confronted about the problem they deny having any problem but deep down inside of themselves they know that they have a problem. This type of denial is outright dishonesty or lying.
Type B Denial is when a person is either partially or totally blind to the problem that they have. This type of person uses self deception, rationalization, justification and excuse making to make themselves believe that they do not have a problem. These type of people honestly believe that they do not have a problem, and that they are being misunderstood. Their denial is based on being honestly dishonest, not on being a …show more content…
liar. It is important to understand that denial can be both on an intellectual and a spiritual level. It is very common in the addiction arena to see a person that intellectually accepts being addicted but this same person
The Causes & Recovery From Chemical Addiction 11
does not really believe it in their innermost spiritual sole. This is the type of person that constantly returns to their addictive behaviors, much to their amazement and much to the amazement of the people around them. Intellectual denial is usually based on a lack of understanding. This is the type of person that thinks an addict is a degenerate who lives on skid row. They believe that an addict is the type of person that is always panhandling and drinks cheap wine. This type of person believes that anyone who works, takes care of their family, pays the bills, and lives in a nice house couldn 't possibly be an addict. They have an intellectual definition of what an addict is, and therein lies their problem. Spiritual denial is even more difficult to deal with than intellectual denial. Spiritual denial is so hard to see. This type of denial will lock a person into compliance blocking any possibility for recovery. The process of internalizing a new truth is a very difficult undertaking for an addicted person. Even in the most ideal situations or conditions it will sometimes take months before an addict will accept a new truth in their innermost self. This is why ongoing support groups are critical to the recovery process. Internal acceptance of
The Causes & Recover From Chemical Addiction 12
chemical dependency requires a conversion in the belief system, which is the innermost self(spirit).
This internal acceptance is a process, not an event. Once the seed has been planted that the person has a chemical dependency problem, it needs time to root. It also needs proper nourishment for growth and maturity. It does not happen overnight. The person has to admit by their own words that they have a chemical dependency problem. Then and only then can the recovery process begin. Complete recovery requires interpersonal and lifestyle changes that take time and often requires the help of qualified therapist and counselors, as well as good peer support groups. Once a person admits they have a chemical dependency problem or they are mandated into treatment, the next step is to find a qualified effective treatment center. There are several sources that will assist the individual to find an effective treatment center:
The National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center can be reached anytime toll-free at 1-800-784-6776
The Causes & Recover From Chemical Addiction 13
The National Association of Drug & Alcohol Interventionist can be reached anytime at
1-215-228-8911. National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors can be reached anytime at 1-703-741-7686.
These organizations will recommend the leading treatment centers in the person 's area. They maintain a continuous updated national database of chemical dependency treatment centers in the United States and around the world(Cami J, Farre M 2003). The addicted person has to be willing to go to any lengths to maintain their sobriety. An effective tool in maintaining recovery is for the addicted person to always prioritize their life and their activities in living a chemical free life. The principle is based on four(4) points of balance. The addicted person 's number one priority in life has to be their recovery and their spirituality. The addicted person 's number two priority in life has to be their family and loved ones. The number three priority has to be their health. The addicted person 's fourth priority is their job or career. It has been proven that if the addicted person keeps their life in this priority, they will
The Causes & Recover From Chemical Addiction 14
keep their disease arrested and achieve some long term recovery. Sobriety without recovery(changing from the inside out) will usually lead to a relapse; it is only a matter of time. Another important tool in the recovery process is active participation in a recovery support fellowship of the person 's choice. Getting involved is the fastest and easiest way to maintain recovery. There are dozens of things that the addicted person can do to establish a growing commitment in their recovery program. The more active a person is in their recovery program, the less likely they are to return to their addictive behavior. The proper level of commitment varies between different people. The important thing to understand is that each person needs to find their own healthy level of involvement based on their own particular needs. Chemical addiction is on the rise in most urban cities. Based on my research findings there is a lack of education about chemical addiction. Most people do not know the many causes that can contribute to chemical addiction. Denial by the addicted individual adds to the rise of chemical
The Causes & Recover From Chemical Addiction 15
addiction in urban cities. Once an individual admits and accepts the addiction, they do not know where to go to find effective treatment. Recovery from chemical addiction is tricky business. The number one symptom is denial. The addiction will deny its own existence. It keeps good people in everlasting blindness destroying any chance for healthy change. It will fight viciously for its survival all the way to insanity, institutionalization and even death. The disease is not threatened by a person trying to overcome it by themselves, in fact it welcomes it. The last thing that the disease wants is for the person to join together with other people who are dedicated to destroying it.
References
Compton WM, Thomas YF, Conway KP, Colliver JD. 2005, Developments in the epidemiology of drug use and drug use disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry 162:1494-1502. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM V, 5th ed (2013). American Psychiatric Association. Anthenelli RM, Schuckit MA. Genetics. In :Lowinson JH, Ruiz PR, Millman RB, Langrod JG, eds. Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook. 3rd ed(1997). Philadelphia: Williams & Wilkins; 41-51. Volkow ND, (2005). What do we know about drug addiction? American Journal of Psychiatry; 162: 1401-1402. Retrieved from website. Johnson BD, Muffler J. Sociocultural. In: Lowinson JH, Ruiz PR, Millman RB, Langrod JG, eds. Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook. 3rd ed (1997). Philadelphia: Williams & Wilkins: 107-118. Hoffman J, Froemke S, (2007) Addiction: Why Can 't They Just Stop? Emmaus, PA:Rodale
References
Cami J, Farre M. Drug Addiction. New England Journal of Medicine. 2003; 349: 975-986. Retrieved from website. Olmedo R, Hoffman RS. Withdrawal syndromes(2000). Emergency Medical Clinics of North America; 18: 273-288.