International Research Compendium - Drug Free Australia

According to the DSM-dependence criteria, drug addiction is clinically defined by at
least 3 of the following characteristics:
Tolerance
Withdrawal
Use in larger amounts or for longer than intended
Desire to cut down or control use
Great deal of time spent in obtaining substance or getting over effects
Social, occupational or recreation activities given up or reduced
Use despite knowledge of physical or psychological problem
Simply said, drug addiction is the loss of control of drug-taking behaviour. The drug
user is no longer capable of choosing to use simply because of the apparent
benefits. The drug user cannot stop using drugs despite adverse social, legal, and
health consequences.
Addiction is a relationship problem.
The drug user has a relationship with drugs!
People turn toward addictive or compulsive behaviour when they don’t like the way
they’re feeling, and they seek out a mood-changing experience. Addiction begins and
grows when a person abandons the natural ways of getting emotional needs met
through connecting with other people. In natural relationships there is a connecting
with others – an act of giving and an act of receiving. In addiction there is only an act
of taking.
Drugs can’t ask questions, as humans do. Drugs will never complain about the way
the addict acts.
Addicts feel connected to the moment of drug use because of the intensity of the
mood change. Drug addicts have such strong and highly valued experiences that
they put those sensations above everyday responsibilities and risk serious harm to
themselves and others by pursuing their addictive pleasures. It is a destructive but
committed relationship. To addicts, drugs start to become more and more important
as they try to get their emotional and intimacy needs met through this relationship.
Eventually, it becomes their primary emotional relationship. Drug addicts continually
hurt their family members and put the drug(s) before them.
Addicts believe the mood change can be trusted, in the beginning. Because they
experience a mood change, they start to believe their emotional needs have been
met. This is an illusion. It’s dishonest to believe drugs can bring anything more than a
temporary mood change.
What determines possible evolution to addiction
Protective factors:
Positive relationships
Parental monitoring and support
High academic performance
Anti-drug policies in schools and communities
Strong neighbourhood attachment
Self-Control
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