When we talk about drug addiction or alcoholism in our society, we often make the mistake of referring to these conditions in moral terms. Addiction is often considered to be the result of a lack of willpower, and addicts who relapse are perceived as weak or morally deficient. But researchers who study the nature and causes of addiction have found that chemical dependency arises from a number of scientifically proven factors, including heredity, brain chemistry and biology. The more we learn about the science of chemical dependency, the easier it is to understand the reasons for addiction and to obtain the necessary treatment to achieve long-term recovery.

Drug abuse is not the same as dependency, although these conditions may occur at the same time. Drug abuse refers to the consequences of using too much of a substance or using it in inappropriate ways. You may be at risk of abusing a drug if you meet any of the following criteria:

• You have conflicts with family members or loved ones about your drug use.
• You’ve lost a job or had problems at work because of drugs or alcohol.
• You’ve been injured or contracted an illness as a result of your drug use.
• You feel guilty or remorseful about your drug use.
• You’ve had legal or financial problems because of drugs.

Not everyone who abuses drugs is chemically dependent on these substances, and vice versa. You might become chemically dependent on a narcotic pain reliever or tranquilizer, for instance, without ever misusing the medication or taking it without a doctor’s order. Many prescription drugs are as addictive as street drugs, especially opioid analgesics, sedatives and hypnotic medications.

Addiction often occurs along with chemical dependency, but addiction involves certain behaviors and psychological states that go beyond a physical reliance on a drug. The Merck Manual states that while addiction hasn’t been clearly defined by the scientific community, this condition can be identified by specific warning signs:

• A tolerance for the drug, or a need to take more of the substance to satisfy your need for the drug
• Intense, overpowering cravings for the drug
• Withdrawal symptoms — either physical or mental — when you try to stop the drug or take less of it
• An insistence on using the drug, even though you’re aware of its negative impact on your life
• Frequent relapses when you try to get clean and sober

Unlike chemical dependency, which may or may not have any harmful effects, addiction is considered to be a chronic disease that can take a severe toll on an individual’s physical health, relationships and overall well-being. The term “chemical dependency,” in the strictest sense, refers only to the fact that you’ve come to rely on a drug in order to function in a normal way and to avoid the side effects of withdrawal.

How Does Dependency Begin?

Chemical dependency almost never begins with a desire to become an addict. Most of us dislike the idea of needing a drug just to get through the day, and no one enjoys the experience of chemical withdrawal. But if you’ve found that you have symptoms like nausea, muscle pain, chills or agitation when you stop using a drug, you may be in danger of becoming dependent.

Dependency often starts with either a legitimate medical need for a drug, or with recreational or experimental misuse of a drug. Drugs that relieve pain, relax you mentally or help you rest typically alter the way your brain processes its own neurotransmitters or responds to the presence of certain chemicals, like morphine.

According to the manufacturer of Suboxone, a drug used to help patients recover from opioid dependency, drugs derived from morphine affect the way your brain experiences pleasure and pain. Drugs like heroin, codeine, oxycodone and hydrocodone alter your brain’s reward system, so that you rely on the drug in order to reduce physical sensations of pain and experience sensations of pleasure.

As the brain cells that respond to these drugs become used to a certain level of the substance, you’ll need more of that substance to get the same high or the same sense of pain relief. Opioid dependency begins when you can’t stop using the drug without feeling sick, anxious or distressed.

How Common Is Chemical Dependency?

Chemical dependency is becoming increasingly widespread, especially among people who use or abuse prescription drugs. According to research gathered by the University of Texas at Austin, the number of Americans using prescription medications for non-medical reasons is on the rise:

• In 2005, 32.7 million Americans reported using prescription analgesics for non-medical reasons, as opposed to 29.6 million in 2002.
• The use of controlled drugs like hydrocodone, methadone and clonazepam increased significantly between 2004 and 2005.
• In 2005, 526,000 Americans reported using OxyContin, a powerful narcotic pain reliever, without a prescription for the first time.
• Out of those who misused OxyContin, 60 percent obtained the medication at no charge from a family member or friend.

Alcohol is one of the most widely used drugs in the United States. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has compiled statistics on alcohol use indicating that over 42 percent of men and over 21 percent of women consume three or more drinks each day, and that a large percentage of American drinkers engage in binge drinking, or the consumption of four or more drinks within two hours. Heavy drinking often leads to a state of chemical dependence on alcohol, which can have severe effects on your physical health, your personal relationships, your finances and your legal status.

Prescription opioids, alcohol and most street drugs have a direct effect on the central nervous system, altering your brain’s natural reward circuitry so that you have to continue taking larger doses of the drug in order to reach the same level of euphoria, energy or excitement. The longer you use a substance, and the more frequently you use it, the greater the risk that you’ll eventually be unable to function without it.

Can I Recover From Chemical Dependency?

Recovering from chemical dependency isn’t easy, but it may be the most important step you can take to regain control over your health and your life. The stages of recovery begin when you reach out for help from qualified addiction specialists who use evidence-based methods to assist your recovery. Once you’ve made that first phone call, your treatment plan may include:

• Detoxification. Under medical supervision, you’ll be weaned off the drug at a gradual pace, with pharmacological support to help you cope with the side effects of withdrawal.
• Rehabilitation. After you’ve begun the process of adjusting to a drug-free body, you’ll go through individual counseling, group therapy and holistic treatments that will help you lay the foundation for recovery.
• Medication therapy. Recovering from highly addictive drugs like alcohol, heroin or oxycodone often requires the use of medications like naltrexone, methadone or buprenorphine to help you avoid a relapse.
• Aftercare. Once you’ve graduated from a rehabilitation program, you’ll need ongoing support to reach your goals for recovery. Aftercare programs may include transitional housing at a sober living facility, individual therapy, couples counseling, vocational counseling and referrals to social services.

The hardest part of recovering from chemical dependency is often asking for help. Drugs can exert a strong influence on your mind, making you believe that you truly can’t survive without drinking or using. The fact is that you are able to not only survive without drugs — you can be much healthier, happier and more fulfilled when you’re leading a drug-free life. We encourage you to call us to find out how Axis can help you begin building the life you really want today.