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• Tolerance. The dependent individual needs to drink greater amounts of alcohol or ingest larger amounts of a drug in order to feel “high.”

•  Withdrawal.  The dependent person experiences uncomfortable physical and/or psychological symptoms when he abruptly stops drinking or using a drug. Examples of withdrawal symptoms include nausea or vomiting, hand tremor, insomnia, anxiety and depression. The symptoms vary depending on the person’s biological make-up and the type of drug being abused. Medical intervention eases the symptoms of withdrawal.

• Craving.  One has a compulsive need to drink or use a drug. After a period of continuous use, the body adapts to the presence of alcohol or drug and begins to demand it.

• Loss of control. The dependent person lacks the ability to limit his or her intake of alcohol or drug. This is akin to having a broken thermostat that is unable to regulate the degree of intoxication. The person knows that he has had enough, but he is unable to stop consuming alcohol or the drug.

• Use of alcohol or drug despite consequences. The dependent individual knows that the intake of the substance causes serious physical and psychological problems.  For example, a diabetic continues to drink alcohol despite his physician’s warnings. Or, the heart patient uses a stimulant, such as cocaine, even though his physician has warned him of imminent health problems.

• Alcohol or drug use as focal point. One’s life eventually narrows to a single focal point: alcohol or the drug. All social and recreational activities are centered around alcohol or the drug. Family relations are compromised due to substance use. And for many, addiction jeopardizes jobs or careers.

• Persistent desire and/or unsuccessful attempts to stop drinking or using drugs. Many individuals recognize they have a problem with a particular drug and take steps to control it. They may succeed a few times, but eventually, they return to excessive use or to loss of control, which is the hallmark of addiction.

Although some alcohol or drug dependent individuals are able to recover from their illness without help, the majority of people in the grips of addiction need assistance. With treatment and support, many individuals are able to stop drinking or using drugs.

For more information, please call this writer at 274-6288 or visit our web-site at alcoholdrugcouncil.org. Arpi Hovaguimian, LCSW-R, is the Executive Director of the Alcohol & Drug Council of Tompkins County, Inc.

The Sober Talk column is published in The Ithaca Journal on the first Thursday of each month.

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