What is Addiction?
Addiction, or chemical dependency, is a medically diagnosable brain and behavioral disease that is chronic, progressive and potentially fatal. But like many other diseases, chemical dependency can be successfully treated. There are three aspects of addiction:
- Biological – Addiction tends to run in families. If a parent or other close relative has struggled with chemical dependency, you are at greater risk because you may have inherited this family trait.
2. Psychological – Depending on chemicals to cope with problems and stress contributes to addiction, as does having certain personality traits, such as impulsiveness, self-destructiveness, or the need for high levels of excitement.
3. Social/Cultural – Easy access to alcohol and drugs, peer pressure, or relationships in which a friend or loved one uses alcohol or drugs can all contribute to addiction.