Arizona Bridge to Recovery

EDUCATION ABOUT ADDICTION & RECOVERY

Drug addiction is a complex illness. The path to drug addiction begins with the act of taking drugs. Over time, a person's ability to choose not to take drugs is compromised. This in large part is a result of the effects of prolonged drug use on brain functioning, and thus on behavior. Addiction, therefore, is characterized by compulsive, drug craving, seeking, and use that persists even in the face of negative consequences.

How can we tell if someone is abusing or addicted to drugs?*

A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:
Substance is often taken in larger amounts or over longer period than intended
Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use
A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), use the substance (e.g., chain smoking), or recover from its effects
Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced because of substance abuse
Continued substance use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent psychological, or physical problem that is caused or exacerbated by use of the substance
Tolerance, as defined by either:

Need for read amounts of the substance in order to achieve intoxication or desired effect; or
Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount

Withdrawal, as manifested by either:
- Characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance; or
- The same (or closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms

*From the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, IV.