CASA

Addiction is defined as continued use despite adverse consequences. This means if problems occur as a result of a person’s substance use, and he continues to use that substance anyway, he has an addiction. The most common model for how addiction happens is:

1)      experimentation

2)      tolerance builds, more regular use

3)      daily preoccupation, and

4)      dependency/addiction

Keep in mind that it’s not just how an individual drinks/uses, or even why they drink/use, but who is doing the drinking/using that helps determine if this person is becoming addicted.

Research has shown validity to the theory that alcohol addiction is a disease that’s passed down through the genes. Whether it’s genetics or environment, statistics have shown that children of alcoholics have a 50% higher chance of becoming addicted than those children who do not have addiction within the family system. Caution: If there is alcoholism or other drug use present in your family, chances are high that you will become addicted too. The probability of this happening increases if the uses of “gateway” drugs have been used at an early age.

Can anyone become addicted? Yes! The length of time needed to develop addiction may vary. Because of the complicated way that the brain and its chemicals work together, addiction can occur with continued, regular use of mind/mood altering chemicals.

There are other contributing factors that help define addiction such as: social, economic, emotional and cultural influences. Additionally, the mere act of drinking becomes a habit. If an alcoholic is to have any chance at continuous sobriety, the process of recovery needs to address the physical, mental and emotional aspects of the individual’s life.

So, what does it really mean to be an alcoholic/addict? Who is affected? It’s been said that the alcoholic’s behavior affects a minimum of 12 people in a very significant, destructive way. Alcoholism is not just a disease that affects livers, it’s a disease that affects families.

·         In 90% of all child abuse cases, alcohol is a significant problem.

·         Children of alcoholics are frequently victims of child abuse, incest, neglect and violence.

·         Children of alcoholics are prone to experience a range of psychological difficulties, including: learning disabilities, low self-esteem, anxiety and fear, eating disorders, depression, attempted and completed suicides, and other compulsive, obsessive behavior.

Alcoholism is very prevalent:

·         One out of four school-age children comes from an alcoholic home.

·         An estimated 28 million Americans have at least one alcoholic parent.

·         More than 30% of all children of alcoholics grow up and marry alcoholics.

Often, for children of alcoholics, alcohol and drugs look like a way to forget, to find some relief. Unfortunately, too many look for an “instant fix” with no lasting benefits. More than likely, they will continue the patterns of abuse that will inevitably lead to their own problems with addiction. Thus, the cycle continues.

In an alcoholic home, members of the family will adopt ways of behaving that help them to cope with the unpredictable, and sometimes chaotic activity that takes place. These coping skills, such as making excuses for the alcoholic, cover up deeper problems. The problems remain invisible due to coping behavior that becomes socially acceptable. Help is needed for both the alcoholic and all members present in the home.

These are not simple problems to fix, but millions of alcoholics and those affected by the alcoholics, are offered a wide range of services. Many books have been written on the subject of addiction and recovery. There are support groups such as Alanon (for teens), ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics), as well as private therapists who specialize in helping the alcoholic and his family.

Warning Signs of Alcohol Problems:

·         Using alcohol to deal with problems.

·         Having to drink more and more to get the same high.

·         Hiding how much you drink.

·         Forgetting things when you drink.

·         Getting angry when someone complains about your drinking.

·         Having trouble stopping after the first drink.

·         Using alcohol to control the highs and lows of other drugs.

Suggested Reading

Under the Influence, J. Milam

It Will Never Happen To Me, by Claudia Black

Adult Children of Alcoholics, by Janet Geringer Woititz

Co-Dependent No More, by Melody Beattie

Warning Signs of

Possible Chemical Dependency

Possible warning signs of adolescent chemical dependency usually appear in clusters, and include:

·         Withdrawal from usual friends or family

·         Drop in grades, or other problems at school

·         Questionable new friends

·         Money or other items missing from home

·         Dramatic emotional highs and lows, or frequent bad temper

·         Sudden changes in appearance, weight or hygiene

·         Secretive, lying or manipulative behavior

·         Obvious intoxication or drug high: giddiness, dilated or contracted pupils, slurred speech, coordination problems

·         Presence of paraphernalia: cigarette papers, mirrors and razor blades, pipes, non-prescription pills, alcohol flasks

·         Rebellion against authority, or brushes with the law