Chemical Dependency Alcoholism and Drug Addiction 

There are people who use various substances or drink regularly or may sometimes overeat, while others engage in a number of different compulsive behaviors or other closely related activities. When the behavior becomes an abnormal established disruptive regiment it is then thought to be an addiction or alcoholism.

Alcoholic or Substance (drug) addict- is a term used to describe a person struggling with the consequences and conflicts of using substances or drinking or alcohol or other abused substances and behaviors. An addict or alcoholic is an individual who has reached a level where their substance usage is causing measurable interruption, destruction, interference and damage in their lives. Twelve-Step (12-Step) Programs refer to this addictive level as a life that has essentially become  “unmanageable.”)

Alcoholism and substance addiction is a particularly complex condition, with many variables involved. Human Beings love their mood-altering substance such as wine, beer, cocktails, “medical marijuana,” uppers, downers, hallucinogenic drugs, etc. Perhaps half of the country engages in some type of semi-regular drug or alcohol consumption. Maybe close to half of those who drink or use substance fairly regularly have a problem at or near an addictive level.

Millions of Americans are routinely prescribed narcotics for pain (i.e. Percocet or Vicodin) or Benzodiazepine medication (i.e. Xanax/Valium) to help them relax or sleep. These drugs and other certain drugs or substances can be potentially habit-forming. It’s more habit-forming especially for those who have a tendency towards more compulsive or addictive behavior.

USE of drugs or alcohol is a term that implies drinking or using drugs perhaps for recreational usage. So the posing question of “Do you use drugs or do you do drugs?” is somewhat benign, since the concept of the drug use is perceived subjectively.

ABUSE of substance is defined as more of an abnormal usage of drugs, alcohol or other substance that significantly disrupts a basic routine.

DEPENDENCE is defined as abuse plus physical dependence, where serious illness can ensue in the case of immediate termination of using/consuming that substance or alcohol (I.e.: abrupt termination of usage, for example would require medical or hospital management for a safer outcome.)

A common observation is that consumption of alcohol and drunken behavior is portrayed in a humorous or glamorous capacity. Partying with drugs and alcohol is sometimes depicted as glamorous, cool, more powerful, intense, fun, funny, zany and wild etc. This may be depicted as ditzy women getting drunk in a show like "Absolutely Fabulous" or college frat parties on spring break or celebrity chefs taking a swig right from the bottle of booze as the audience cheers them on during cooking demonstrations. However, drug and alcohol use and addictions are very much not so funny at all, particularly when it becomes a destructive sickness.

Here are some of the more staunch,
not-funny reasons that people drink or use which sometimes is or becomes alcoholism or similar:

• Abuse and neglect of others such as children and other important responsibilities or friendships.
• Anxiety and depression; self-loathing, shame, embarrassment and humiliation.
• Boundaries are deficient leading to disregard or lacking awareness of others or extreme codependency.
• Delusions/distorted unrealistic sense of self and others.
• Denial displays and other defense mechanisms can be conveniently managed or diminished by self-medicating with substance.
• Feelings are anesthetized, smothered and covered up. An example might be feeling severely inadequate, self-loathing, or being a repressed (closeted) homosexual, etc.
• Grandiosity like “Get rich quick” fantasies delude away from reality or mediocrity.
• Intimacy Fears and avoidance; social phobia and anxiety.
• Power- sometimes feel so powerful you can get in your car and then kill someone or shoot your nasty vile mouth off in hurtful rants or become assaultive and beat someone up.
• Selfishness- extreme, narcissism and opportunism leads to disregarding others, including those close to you.

Abuse and dependence of many substances including alcohol, promotes Alcoholic Behavior, which fosters a systemic avoidance of reality, like encountering any unpleasant feelings or accepting an apparent less-desirable truth. Some addicts are escaping from themselves or a part of themselves that they are terrified about or a part that they find revolting. Other addicts are just bored, empty or feel profoundly insecure and deeply inadequate. It is understandable why human beings are inclined to be addicts frankly, given all the pressures of life and multi layers of family and societal dysfunction.

People consume alcohol, and street drugs; they compulsively over-eat or ingest or partake in drug use to medicate something. They might also compulsively shop, gamble or chase after unhealthy, unavailable relationships (codependency or “Love-Addicts.”) Addicts and alcoholics are in some type of pain, which leads them to use their addict-behavior and mentality as part of dysfunctional coping mechanisms. Whereas anyone could potentially have unpleasant parts of their life to deal with, yet they don't drink or use over those issues.

For many addicts or alcoholics, their “relationships” with substance eventually becomes unmanageable. Substance use can evolve in to substance abuse when used in a more extensive, insidious, disruptive capacity. As substance/drug or alcohol usage becomes even more consuming and ritualistic it typically brings additional consequences, including a more pervasive physical impact/tolerance, implying a likely physical dependence. At the point of being physically dependent on alcohol or certain drugs or other similar substance, an addict would be likely diagnosed with substance dependence, which has physical implications and also sometimes requires medically managed detoxification or hospitalization prior to any psychological treatment.