After decades of studying drug use, the phenomenon never ceases to puzzle psychiatrists. One psychiatrist reported that his patient said he continues to snort cocaine even though it doesn’t make him high anymore. People’s habits and addictions are hard to explain, and even more perplexing to diagnose and eventually cure. Cocaine addicts prefer a cocaine high more than anything else in the world, including eating, drinking, and sleeping. Apparently the patient mentioned earlier simply lost the euphoria that he experienced from cocaine, and eventually he lost he job. When his wife threatened to divorce him, he sought help from a professional.
It hasn’t been until recently that psychiatrists are beginning to understand the growing problem of substance abuse and addiction in our country. However, for years professional people have understood the attraction of recreational drugs like cocaine, alcohol, and opiates. These people know that their patients take drugs in order to activate the brain’s reward system and experience what many addicts call euphoria.
A medical definition of addiction may be difficult to nail down, but most people know what it means. Put simply, addiction is doing something you can’t stop. even though it interferes with your daily life.
Addictive Characteristics
The following are common characteristics people who are chemically dependent share:
1. A desire for increased amounts of the substance in order to achieve the same effect.
2. Using the substance for longer periods of time.
3. A prolonged desire for the substance (or failed attempts to cut down or stop using it).
4, Spending a lot of time trying to obtain the substance.
5. Giving up or cutting back on everyday activities (important social, work, or family activities).
6. Continued substance use/abuse even though it causes problems (social and legal).
Addictive Behaviors
For most addicts, addiction can involve any type of behavior, an addiction may involve a wide range of behaviors (e.g., gambling, spending money, eating, having sex). However, these behaviors interfere with an addict’s normal life or routine). In addition, addicts tend to get defensive when people criticize their behavior.
