Addiction

Addiction is a chronic, compulsive and uncontrollable drive by a person to pursue a particular activity or behaviour or use a particular substance, and is often associated with physical dependency.

The word is normally associated with alcohol, drugs and gambling however more and more addictions based on the modern world are being identified and effectively treated.

Addiction to substances and/or behaviours generally develop to such an extent that it has a serious detrimental effect on the user and often the family as well. The addiction takes over their life eventually destroying everything.

Having a person in your life that is addicted to alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, sex or even spending, working or using the internet can be frustrating, painful and in most cases thoroughly destructive. While we know them to be good people, the individual is often unaware or unwilling to admit how much control the substance or behaviour has over them and becomes defensive when confronted with it. This is part of the uncontrollable nature of addiction. People who are not addicts have no way of understanding, but without help the addicted will continue to use the substance or behaviour and can not or will not stop until it completely destroys their lives or kills them!