Are there still other symptoms of Addiction?
Yes, the list of symptoms that may be caused by drug addiction is seemingly without end.

Those compelled to use will rationalize and justify their use - to help it make sense to them and to soothe their sense of helplessness. They will make excuses or tell themselves that they are making a free choice to use.

Perceptions change with repetitive behavior. If I use drugs every day whether I want to or not, I will come to see myself as a drug addict. If I lie, cheat or steal to support my habit, I will come to see myself as a liar and a thief. If I do not know how to stop using, I come to see myself as helpless in the face of addiction.

“I was diagnosed with eight different psychiatric conditions.

I cannot recall how many different treatments were prescribed.

I used, stopped and started again through the whole time I was seeing doctors.

I still require treatment for mood disorder. But it is all much simpler now that I am not using.”

People do not feel well about themselves if they believe they are not in control or doing harmful things to themselves. Denial is only a temporary and partial solution. Self esteem is battered as the realities of addiction sets in.

Physical dependence and the compulsion to use also require one to obtain and to use drugs. The behaviors of addiction occur. These include searching for drugs, lying and keeping secrets, stealing to support a habit, neglect of responsibilities and using in preference to more productive activities.

The regular use of one or more drugs will cause changes in mood, anxiety, fear and other emotional turmoil. Persistent drug use can uncover, worsen or cause psychiatric disorders of mood.

The best way to think about addiction is as an unexplainable and driving pressure - or compulsion to use.

The other features of addiction - the changes in thinking, feeling and behavior - all arise out of the compulsive use of drugs and from the consequences of their use over time. Mind, brain and body are all affected over time.