What Are Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency?

Alcoholism and chemical dependency are primary, progressive, chronic diseases that left untreated, ultimately destroy lives. Repeated drug or alcohol use in the face of adverse consequences is a sign of chemical dependency. The abuser demonstrates loss of control or powerlessness over the amount, frequency, or effects of the alcohol or other drugs. In many cases, before the abuser even realizes the extent of his problem, his life has become unmanageable.

Those afflicted with the disease of alcoholism and/or chemical dependency are addicted to the change in mood that follows the use of alcohol or drugs. This addiction eventually becomes the most important drive in their lives. Since alcohol and drugs are mood- and brain-altering, the thinking and reasoning of the alcoholic or addict becomes drug-affected, which leads to out-of-control behaviors, thoughts, and emotions.

There are four stages of adolescent dependency:

Stage I - Alcohol or drug use is pleasurable, and the adolescent's lifestyle becomes drug-oriented.

Stage II - Alcohol or drug use produces instant relief from boredom, frustration, pain, and other difficult emotions. As the use becomes central in a teen's life, school, friends, family, sports, and other interests are negatively affected.

Stage III - Alcohol or drug use helps the adolescent feel "normal." His or her lifestyle becomes drug-dominated with continued family problems, as well as school, job, legal, social, and physical problems.

Stage IV - The adolescent continues using alcohol or drugs to dull the severe emotional pain. Suicidal thoughts and overdosing to end life are not uncommon.

Recovery for adolescents is a slow process. The experience of euphoria brought on initially by drugs or alcohol becomes a powerful force in a teen's life. The more time a teen spends in a structured and supportive long-term drug rehab program, the better his/her chances for a successful recovery. As the individual accumulates more days of sobriety, the urge to use again diminishes and occurs less frequently - but the urge does return, which makes learning relapse prevention skills a crucial part of teen drug rehabilitation.

Alcoholism and chemical dependency cause progressive deterioration in all aspects of a teen's life: emotional, spiritual, social, and physical. This deterioration begins with distorted thinking, denial of the problem, defensive behavior, alienation from personal values, damaged relationships, and destructive drinking and drug abuse patterns.

In the later stages, blackouts, repression, denial, isolation, and emptiness render the alcoholic or drug addict out of touch with the reality of the problem. Without intervention, the progression of the illness often leads to incarceration, destroyed relationships and careers, or even death.