What is Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction is a disease that affects a victim emotionally, physically, and psychologically. Drug addiction usually begins with occasional drug use (for pleasure) and progresses into a more regular habit then becomes a constant drug-seeking behavior (or need).

Addiction can be defined as substance dependency. It can be of a mental nature, a physical nature, an emotional nature, or a combination of any or all of these natures that a person depends on a substance.

The DSM-IV categorizes drug addiction into 3 stages, based on the level of desire for drug use, the amount of drug use, and the tolerance of drug use.

One of these of drug addiction stages is the preoccupation stage.

In this stage, also referred to as the anticipation stage, a drug user will often crave drugs for recreational use yet still be able to maintain some level of control. This is usually the ‘starting point’, when a user initially begins experimenting with drugs, and is still able to maintain a healthy lifestyle outside of drug use.

Another stage of drug addiction (usually preceding the initial stage of drug abuse) is the binge stage.

Also known as intoxification, this is a stage where a drug user begins to "chase" (uses more of a drug than necessary in order to get a bigger rush). This stage can be very dangerous because the more you use a drug, the more tolerant you become of that drug.

The most noticeable stage of drug addiction is the withdrawal stage.

This is where the negative effects of drug addiction are most obvious. Once a tolerance has been developed for the drug, there has become a physical need to use the drug.

This is usually the point when it becomes most apparent that you are a victim of drug addiction, although you may have already been a victim long before reaching this stage.

Drug addiction can only get worse, and it is important to seek help for drug addiction the moment you notice any signs that you may be addicted to drugs. Don't wait for it to get worse!

When you are suffering drug addiction, you become a new person in every aspect and you lose all control and logic. Your whole world revolves around using drugs, and you lose all motivation to live a normal, healthy life.

Other mental disorders can arise from being a victim of drug addiction, including depression. It is important to seek treatment if you may have or be developing a drug addiction.