What is Chemical Dependency/ Addiction?

Chemical dependency is a disease caused by the use of alcohol and/ or drugs, causing changes in a person's body, mind, and behavior. As a result of the disease of chemical dependency, people are unable to control the use of alcohol and/or drugs, despite the bad things that happen when they use. Chemical dependency occurs most frequently in people who have a family history of the disease. As the disease process progresses, recovery becomes more difficult. Chemical dependency may cause death if the person does not completely abstain from using alcohol and other mood-altering drugs.

Effects.The problems of chemical dependency that affect people when they use alcohol or drugs, and even after they have stopped using, include the following:

Malnutrition and metabolic dysfunction. The addict's ability to function normally is damaged by the effects of alcohol and/or drugs on the brain and body. Only after a period of proper diet and taking supplements can normal body chemistry be restored. This process affects the way the addict thinks, feels, and acts.

Liver disease and other medical complications. The addict's liver enzymes may be far above normal. This can cause poisonous effects within the body and may lead to infections and illnesses that need to be treated before normal functioning can resume.

Brain dysfunction. Alcohol and drugs damage brain cells, interrupt the production of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, and alter the way the brain functions. Some of these changes may be permanent.

Addictive preoccupation. A chemically dependent person's thinking patterns are altered by chemical dependency as the disease progresses. These changes cause the person to have strong thoughts, desires, and physical cravings for alcohol or drugs. These processes also change the way the person sees the world. They lead the person to believe that using is better than not using, despite the bad things that result from using.

Social consequences. As the physical and psychological problems identified above get worse, the person's behavior becomes more antisocial and self-destructive. Frequent social consequences of addiction are job loss, money problems, car accidents, domestic violence, criminal behaviors, illness, and death.

Criminal behaviors. Chemical dependency can cause a person to commit crimes. People who are chemically dependent commit crimes related to their use of alcohol or drugs (drunk driving, public drunkenness, assault, etc.), the support of their addiction (selling drugs, committing crimes to get drugs or money for drugs, etc.), and secondary consequences of drug or alcohol use (not paying child support or court fines, failing to follow through with probation requirements, etc.). Some people do not commit crimes until they become chemically dependent. Others have personality problems that initiate their criminal behavior. Most of those who have personality problems either become chemically dependent on or abusive of alcohol and drugs. Any relapse into behavior that leads to criminal actions is likely to cause a relapse into the use of alcohol or drugs. Any relapse into chemical use is likely to cause a relapse into criminal behavior.

The conditions just described combine and interfere with the ability to think clearly, control feelings, and regulate behaviors, especially under stress. Alcohol and drug dependency damages the basic personality traits that are formed before the addictive use of alcohol or drugs. Dependency on alcohol or other drugs systemically destroys meaning and purpose in life as the addiction gets worse and worse. For more information please feel free to visit us at The Recovery House at Sanson Road Extension, Lahug, Cebu City. You may also call us at 32-2315229 or 32-2331881, or email us at [email protected].