San Francisco Interventionists and Addiction Consulting: Addictive Diseases and Addiction Signs

Addictive disease encompasses alcoholism, chemical dependency, eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia), gambling, sexual compulsivity, shopping, spending, work and internet. The common characteristic of all addictive diseases is loss of control. Of the addictive diseases, alcoholism is the most prevalent and is defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine as follows:

Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychological, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by:

Impaired control over drinking;
Preoccupation with the drug alcohol;
Use of alcohol despite adverse consequences; and
Distortions in thinking, most notably denial.

Each of these symptoms may be continuous or periodic.

Many times alcoholism co-exists with another addictive disorder such as gambling, sexual compulsivity or an eating disorder. Often alcoholics will be addicted to other drugs, legal and illegal, in conjunction with their alcoholism.

This definition, although specific to alcoholism, also generally describes other addictive disorders; gambling, sexual compulsivity, eating disorders, spending, work, internet. Substitute the other activities, i.e. “gambling”, “spending”, etc in the place of “alcohol” and you will have a general definition of the addictive cycle for these other diseases.

Addiction Signs: Screening Test

If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, check the box next to questions that you answer “yes” to:

Do you ever drink/use alone?
Have you ever substituted one drink or drug for another, thinking that one particular drink or drug was the problem?
Have you ever manipulated or lied to a doctor to obtain prescription drugs?
Have you ever stolen/diverted drugs or stolen things to obtain alcohol/drugs?
Do you regularly use alcohol/drug when you wake up or when you go to bed?
Have you ever taken one drug to overcome the effects of another?
Do you avoid people and places that do not approve of your drinking/drug using?
Have you ever used a drug without knowing what it was or what it would do to you?
Has your job or school performance ever suffered from the effects of your drinking/drug use?
Have you ever been arrested as a result of using alcohol/drugs?
Have you ever lied about what or how much you drink/use?
Do you put the purchase of drugs ahead of your financial responsibilities?
Have you tried to stop or control your drinking/using?
Have you ever been in jail, hospital or drug rehabilitation center because of your drinking/using?
Does drinking/using interfere with your sleeping or eating?
Does the thought of running out of alcohol/drugs terrify you?
Do you feel it is impossible for you to live without alcohol/drugs?
Do you ever question your own sanity?
Is your drinking/drug use making life at home unhappy.
Have you ever thought you couldn't fit in or have a good time without drinking/using drugs?
Have you ever felt defensive, guilty, or ashamed about your drinking/using?
Do you think alot about drinking/drugs?
Have you had irrational or indefinable fears?
Has drinking/using affected your sexual relationships?
Have you ever taken alcohol/drugs you didn't prefer?
Have you ever drank/used drugs because of pain or stress?
Have you ever overdosed on alcohol or any drug?
Do you continue to drink/use despite negative consequences?
Do you think you might have a drinking/drug problem?

If you didn't answer YES to any of these questions, your alcohol/drug use is under control. If you answered YES to any ONE of these questions, this is a definite warning that your alcohol/drug use may be becoming problematic. It’s time to take a close look at your lifestyle.

If you answered YES to any TWO questions, your life and those close to you are being adversely affected due to your alcohol/drug use. Consider getting help.

If you answered YES to any THREE OR MORE, your alcohol/drug use is definitely causing you and those close to you problems and needs be taken very seriously. Get help now!

Call Addiction Consulting Services, (415) 717-3675 for a free, confidential consultation from one of our San Francisco Interventionists.