What Is Addiction?
    
    Some Misconceptions 
Once it was thought that a person was addicted to a drug only if he needed the 
drug daily, or if he went through withdrawal symptoms (vomiting, seizures, 
cramps, death) when he abruptly stopped using the substance. It was thought that 
alcoholics and addicts were unemployed, poor, and from the inner city. 
These are misconceptions. Many addicted people do not use drugs or alcohol daily 
and do not experience physical withdrawal when they stop using. The majority of 
addicted people are employed and appear to be functioning normally. 
Another former misconception dealt with the differences between physical and 
psychological addiction. Physical addiction was thought to be the determining 
factor in addiction, and little attention was paid to psychological addiction. 
For example, many people believed that cocaine was not a dangerous drug because 
it was psychologically, but not physically, addictive. The current cocaine 
epidemic in this country has broadened the understanding of addiction. It is now 
known that all addictions are characterized by physical and psychological 
changes. Addiction is far more than physical or psychological dependency: it is 
a primary disease. 
Characteristics of Addiction 
Three aspects that characterize addiction are: 
Loss of control. The user cannot predict what will happen when he uses the 
substance. One day he may be able to stop after one drink, or after one line of 
cocaine; the next day he may not be able to control his use at all. 
Compulsive preoccupation. The addict spends a great deal of time thinking about 
the substance. 
Continued use despite negative consequences. If drinking or drug use causes 
problems but one continues to do it, one is tempting addiction or is already 
addicted. The person has lost voluntary control of the use of that substance. 
A nonuser or casual alcohol/drug user may have difficulty understanding why 
addicts don't just stop. Use and abuse of psychoactive (mood-altering) drugs 
seem to be voluntary; addiction seems to be characterized by involuntary, 
compulsive use. In most cases, addicts don't stop because they are addicted; 
they cannot stop on their own. 
1 in 10 Becomes Addicted 
The rate of addiction varies from substance to substance. Crack cocaine, for 
example, has a much higher potential for addiction than other drugs. It is 
estimated that about one of every 10 people who uses a psychoactive substance 
will become addicted. Generally 10 percent of the population will have 
difficulty stopping their use by themselves. Many will need professional help or 
the help of a support group. 
The 90 percent who use drugs or alcohol but do not become addicted also have an 
impact on society. The use and abuse of mood-altering drugs contribute to the 
overburdening of the health care, criminal justice, and educational systems. 
Both users and abusers have the potential for driving under the influence, 
overdosing, committing crimes to support their use and abuse, and contributing 
to family discord and violence. 
What Causes Addiction? 
There has been controversy over the cause of addiction. Historically, it was 
thought that addiction was caused by lack of willpower, by poverty, moral 
weakness, mental illness, genetics, family socialization, anti-social 
personalities, and societal problems. Today addiction is seen as a disease; and 
like any other disease, many factors contribute to it. 
The Drug. Some drugs are more addictive than others. This is due to the 
pharmacology of the substance, and how it affects the mood of the user. 
The User. The genetics of the user and his overall self-concept contribute to 
the potential for addiction. A person from a family with alcoholic or 
drug-addicted parents is twice as likely to develop an addiction. Studies are 
now being done to learn more about the genetics of addiction, and to develop 
early intervention programs for people who have a greater potential for becoming 
addicted. 
The Environment. Does the culture or society tolerate excessive use or abuse? 
Does the society give mixed messages about the use and abuse of psychoactive 
substances, endorsing some and condemning others? Does the society tolerate 
public intoxication or driving under the influence? Is psychoactive substance 
use and abuse glamorized in the media? 
People who have low self-concepts, who feel bad about themselves, have a higher 
rate of addiction. People with low self-concepts use psychoactive substances 
either to enhance or create pleasure in their lives, or to decrease the constant 
emotional pain they live with. The better a person feels about himself, the less 
likely he will be to use or abuse psychoactive substances. A society that has 
easy access to drugs, that has a population that is "addiction-prone" due to 
genetics or emotional pain, and that has pro-use or unclear norms, is a society 
prone to addiction. 
Intervention -- How to Help 
An addict usually does not know he is out of control. He looks at his drug-using 
peers and his own use appears normal in comparison. He needs objective feedback 
on his behavior. 
It was once thought that an alcoholic or other drug abuser had to "hit bottom" 
before help could be offered and accepted; that an addict could only get better 
if he was self-motivated to change. This has changed to the view that a skilled 
professional counselor can motivate an addict toward recovery. This is called 
intervention. 
Intervention is a process that helps an addict recognize the extent of his 
problem. Through a non-judgmental, uncritical, systematic process, the addict is 
confronted with the impact of his alcoholism or drug use on others. The goal of 
intervention is for the addict to accept the reality of his drug- or 
alcohol-impaired lifestyle and to seek help. Most prevention and treatment 
facilities can help arrange an intervention and assist the addicted person and 
his family in finding appropriate treatment. 
Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA) and Narcotics 
Anonymous (NA) provide continuing support for people with drug and alcohol 
problems. These "fellowship" programs exist in most communities and are free of 
charge. The only requirements are a willingness to choose total abstinence, and 
acceptance of recovery through fellowship with other recovering people, one day 
at a time. Fellowship groups are a valuable resource for the addict, his family 
and friends. The telephone numbers of local chapters of AA, CA, and NA are in 
the phone book. 
Conclusion 
Drug abuse is the excessive use of legal mood-altering substances and the use of 
illegal drugs. Addiction is the extreme end of a continuum that starts with the 
first use of drugs or alcohol, and progresses through experimentation and abuse 
to addiction. 
Professional treatment and prevention programs and community-based organizations 
are available to help the addict and his family. These resources can help with 
education, intervention, and treatment of the addict and those who care about 
him. 
For more information, contact your local drug and alcohol treatment program or 
call the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association at 904-878-2196. The 
Association maintains a directory of all licensed alcohol and drug abuse 
treatment programs in Florida. 

Funds for this document are provided by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program, 
Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services; and the Alcohol, Drug 
Abuse, and Mental Health Program Office, contract # MH614. 
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