What are alcoholism and drug addiction?
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, and drug addiction, known as chemical dependency, have the following symptoms: • Craving: A strong need or urge to drink and/or use other mood-altering substances. • Loss of control: Not being able to predict how much you use or to stop once you begin. • Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety after stopping or cutting back on use. • Tolerance: The need to drink and use chemicals in increasingly greater amounts in order to get high. Q: Are alcoholism and drug addiction diseases? A: Yes, alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases. The craving that an alcoholic or addict feels can be as strong as the need for food or water. An alcoholic or addict will continue to use a substance despite serious family, health or legal problems. Like many other diseases, alcoholism and drug addiction are chronic conditions, meaning that they last a person’s lifetime, usually follow a predictable course and have
