What are the other features of Addiction?
At the core of Substance Addiction is a compulsion to use a substance that alters feeling and/or state of mind.

The compulsion to use is a lingering, recurrent and driving force that is beyond rational sense or psychological meaning. Physical dependence further drives the need for opiate drugs.

The mind struggles to make sense of the apparent need to use drugs. Denial is common and like a blind spot for addiction. Other people and circumstances are blamed for the problems that occur. Excuses are made and use is justified.

Reckless, secretive and manipulative behaviors become necessary to obtain and to use drugs. Feelings of shame, guilt and remorse arise.

“I can’t believe the things I did to get the drugs I needed.

Its like it wasn’t even me.”

Cycles of use, withdrawal, euphoria and despondency lead to a sensitizing of emotions with amplified feelings, irritability and erratic changes in mood.

The demands of addiction take priority over other of life’s responsibilities and priorities. Structure, routine and personal reliability are lost.

“Everything that I thought, felt and did was caught up in that addiction. Nothing else was left.”

Denial may be eroded as the behaviors and consequences of deep addiction become harder to ignore. Resignation to addiction may arise.

“It got to the point - I just assumed I would die in my addiction. That was my acceptance. It was like I was just waiting for the end.

Sometimes, I’d look around at what I’d become. It seemed like the sooner it was over the better.

Everything I saw, thought, did or feel just led me to use more.”

Demoralization, despair and thoughts of suicide may eventually result as the addiction takes further toll on health, relationships and family - and as denial is worn away by increasingly negative consequences.

“All I remember from the beginning was how great it was to be high.

It was only on the weekends then, after studying all week. It was my break - and my treat.

It helped me to have fun. I wasn’t anxious around people and they liked me. It hadn’t been that way before.

But I started to use at other times when I wanted to calm my nerves. And my nerves seemed edgy more often.

Everything and everybody started to bother me. I was more at ease when I used.

I used more while I was alone. It became the only way that I could find peace.

Now that I look back, I can see how the drug grew over my life - how everything else seemed less important - more in the way.

I hid my use. But I couldn’t hide the things I was neglecting.

My parents asked me about my marks. I told them the work was too hard for me - that I needed extra money for a tutor.

I felt terrible about lying. But I needed the money and just kept using. It was like there was no other way - no choice left.

It all came down on me one night. The only way that I could see out was to die. I woke up in a hospital and finally agreed to accept the help that I needed.”