When does drug use become “addiction?”
The bottom line is this: when someone continues to crave, seek out and use a drug despite negative consequences - they are addicted. What this means in real life is that the drug becomes more important than everything else. An addict will keep using even when the drug interferes with school, work, family or friends.
The following three stages are often used to describe people’s drug use:
Casual Use - Experimentation with the drug - maybe giving into peer pressure. Drugs are used to feel good and to have fun. Use of the drug is limited in this stage.
Heavier Use - A tolerance to the drug is being built. More and more of the drug is needed to get the same effects as before. Changes in the user’s behavior become more apparent. “Abuse” is usually used to describe “problem” use (i.e., when someone gets wasted every time they’re upset.) This may be a step toward full-blown addiction.
Dependency and Addiction - There is a real loss of control over the drug. Users now feel that they need the drug to function. Users may be angry or withdrawn when they don’t have the drug. Users may begin to lie and steal in order to buy the drug. Relationships with friends and family suffer.
Related Post: The Most Addictive Drugs
Link: Addiction Free Forever Program
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