Definition of Addiction:
Addiction is a compulsion to repeat a behavior regardless of its consequences. Addiction is often characterized by a craving for more of the drug or behavior, loss of control when using, increased physiological tolerance to exposure, and withdrawal symptoms in the absence of the stimulus. Many drugs and behaviors that provide either pleasure or relief from pain pose a risk of addiction or dependency.

Addiction in the U.S.

• Current statistics show more than 50 million addicts
• An estimated 8-10% of the US population are sex addicts
• 17 million people are heavy drinkers
• 8 million people need treatment for illicit drug use
• 6 million people have serious gambling problems
• About 10 million people have eating disorders
• 70% of all violent crime, 90% of all poverty crime, 50% of homicides, 50% of traffic fatalities, 50% of fires and 33% of all traffic accidents are directly related to people abusing drugs & alcohol
• Many suicides are addiction related
• In 2004, drug addiction alone had an economic/societal cost of about 200 billion dollars

Research of addicts active in their recovery shows:

• Crime related costs drop by $8,600 per recovering addict
• Absenteeism from work decreases by 92%
• Tardiness to work decreases by 89%
• Problems with job supervisors decrease by 56%
• Mental Healthcare costs decrease by 36%
• Days in the hospital decrease by 25%

Characteristics of 5 Addictions
If you wonder if you have a problem with a substance or a behavior, you may find that you need more help than you thought! Here are some common problems of people with these addictions:

Chemical dependency (alcohol, drugs, inhalants,
prescriptions, etc.):

• thinking that using will solve problems
• breaks self-imposed limits on using
• lies to hide using from loved ones, employer and friends
• negative impact on relationships, work and health
• has to use to feel normal

Sexual addiction:

• can't control sexual appetite
• lies to hide behavior from others
• negative impact on relationships, work and health
• creates and lives in a fantasy world of sexual exploits

Eating Disorders:

• anorexia: intense fear of gaining weight, obsessive interest in what others eat, distorted perception of body shape and weight, excessive exercise
• bulimia: uncontrollable urges to eat vast amounts of food, coupled with the urge to purge by vomiting or the use of laxatives
• compulsive overeating: using vast amounts of food to feel safe and secure

Compulsive Gambling:

• always looking for the next "big win," unreasonable optimism
• borrows money to gamble, lies to hide behavior from family, friends and employer, debts escalate, irritability
• negative impact on relationships, work and health