Introduction
- Addiction refers to a range of behaviours associated with a dependence on something.
- Tobacco dependence is the most common addiction, although it is a decreasing one in most developing countries.
- 12% of adults or 30% of 18- 24 year olds take illegal drugs.
- The diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-R) is used to diagnose addictions.
- There are three main stages of addiction
- Initiation- why the addiction starts?
- Maintenance-why does it continue despite the consequences?
- Relapse- why have people who have stopped, started again?
- The term tolerance is when a person needs to engage more and more in the activity to maintain the positive feeling.
- Withdrawal is where a person stops engaging in their addictive behaviour and experiences a range of unpleasant physical symptoms such as shaking, sweating, aches and pains, etc.
- Detoxification can take place with or without specialist organisations and facilities. It is achieved when the drug is completely removed from the persons system.