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5 Steps to Addiction - Addiction

Periodic loss of control is a primary indicator of addiction. It means it is not possible for an individual to consistently drink low-risk quantities. This often results in situations where an individual opens a bottle, they drink until it’s empty, or until the bar is closed, or the party is over, or they are out of money. There is no internal mechanism that takes over and says they’ve had “enough.”

Withdrawal is another indicator of addiction. Many people can experience early withdrawal without even realizing it. They are likely to assume they just had a bad hangover. Withdrawal is the experience of an individual’s body attempting to adjust and function without alcohol or drugs. Individuals may experience withdrawal as restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, shakiness, or difficulty sleeping.

As alcoholism and addiction progress, people are more likely to experience health problems, impaired functioning, and straining relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. Other more serious problems may arise such as arrests, loss of a job, injuries, or domestic violence. In other cases, addiction can aggravate a problem that’s already present.