What is Chemical Dependency?

Chemical dependency is a widespread condition that effects men, women and children alike. Prescription drugs, illegal drugs, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine are the most prevalent forms of addictive substances. While some may be considered socially acceptable, all take a toll on the body's health. This article will address the causes and effects of chemical dependency in relation to drug and alcohol use. Though the process is the same for all forms of addiction.

Significance

• Statistics from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration show an estimated 19.5 million illegal drug users in 2003. Marijuana use was reported at 11.6 percent for 12 to 17 years-olds, with alcohol consumption at 29 percent for 12 to 20 year-olds. Substance abuse is one of the costliest public health problems in the U.S. It's a condition that persists, and becomes progressively worse with time.

Identification

• Chemical dependency is a new label assigned to what is commonly known as addiction, or substance abuse. Views differ as to the severity of the condition, due to the mechanism by which it operates. Many consider it disease-like, as the body is progressively weakened by its effects, though a number of treatment approaches focus on the behaviors that drive an addict to use. Both viewpoints hold truth, though once an addiction takes hold, both mental and physical dependencies are at work.

Features

• Chemical dependency starts out as a habit that develops over time. There are those who may have a genetic predisposition towards drugs, or alcohol, and then there are those who acquire addictive traits, and physical dependencies through continued substance abuse. Regardless of the cause, once the body and the mind become affected, the addiction process takes a very definite route.
  There are three identifiable stages of dependency, as defined by the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders.
  · Preoccupation /anticipation
  · Binge /intoxication
  · Withdrawal /negative effect
  These stages represent the steps a person's mind and body go through within any given day. They become more pronounced the longer the habit persists, to the point where acquiring and using drugs, or alcohol becomes the central focus in one's life.

Function

• Chemical dependency begins to take root once the body starts to expect the desired effects of a drug. Oftentimes, a person will turn to drugs or alcohol to avoid the feelings evoked by a negative, or stressful situation. Having a drink, or popping a pill provides an immediate effect, and relief from the pressures at hand. When this happens, processes in the brain respond on a mental and physical level.
  Our feelings and moods are naturally regulated by ongoing chemical processes within the brain. Specific areas within the brain emit chemicals, called neurotransmitters, that directly affect our emotional state. Once a drug enters our system it stimulates these areas in the brain to respond, and eventually starts to take over the brain's chemical processes.

Effects

• Chemical dependency happens when the brain is unable to function properly without the presence of the drug in its system. As drug use continues, more and more is needed to bring about the same desired effects. Neurotransmitter processes become unable to emit the chemicals needed for a person to feel happy, or content without the chemical effect of the drug.
  Attempts to break this dependency are difficult because the body's physical state needs the drug's effect to feel normal. Withdrawal symptoms like sweating, tremors, nausea and irritability are signs that the brain is no longer able to regulate the body's processes.
  Over time, the brain is able to resume a normal functioning level, if no further drug interference occurs. However, in many cases the brain's original chemistry has been permanently altered, meaning it can quickly become drug dependent again, making relapse a very real possibility.