Meaning and Definition of Drug Addiction
Drug addiction definition is simply: An addiction to a drug. Addiction definition: dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming.
That is the short course on the definition of drug addiction. What it all means is another story. Most people start out with casual drug use, or perhaps being put on a prescription drug. They soon find that they want (and sometimes need) the drug more and more frequently. That is where the addiction kicks in. The only thing that becomes important over time is getting more of that drug. It becomes a physical and a psychological need that can and does literally change the person’s character and behavior.
A drug addiction is dependence. The person who is addicted will go to any lengths to get that drug. Someone who was once an upstanding citizen and a wonderful spouse will begin to lie, steal, take money out of accounts without good reason and become more secretive. Drug addiction means the entire person changes and they often become someone you don’t recognize anymore. Drug addiction can change an even-tempered person into a hostile, even violent individual. All of this happens because they are addicted (dependent) on the drug.
An addiction is a habit, or a hunger that must constantly be fed. The drug addict stops at nothing to feed that addiction. Their entire life becomes about that drug and they let nothing stand in their way. That is all a part of the addiction. Drug addiction means the consummation of not only the addict’s life, but also those involved with the addict. Everyone suffers when there is a drug addiction. Drug addicts stop at nothing to get the drug they want. A drug addict’s entire life becomes about that drug to the point where they feel they must start and end each day with it. What may start as casual drug use can quickly become an addiction and can quickly begin destroying lives.
Drug addictions do not happen overnight, but they can happen quickly. How quickly the addiction occurs depends on the person, the situation and the drug. Drug addiction can happen in a matter of several days or it can take several months or years. Once the addiction starts, however, the same thing happens; the addict must get more and more of the drug.
