Addiction begins with a problem, discomfort, or some form of emotional or physical pain for a person.

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This person is, like most people in our society, basically good. But he encounters a problem that is causing him physical or emotional pain and discomfort and for which he does not have an immediate answer.

Perhaps, as a child or teenager, he had difficulty "fitting in" or he lacked communication or academic skills. Or maybe there are physical injuries such as a broken bone, a bad back, or some other chronic physical condition. The loss of a job, career setback, divorce, accident, loss of a loved one, or simply chronic boredom and dissatisfaction can be enough to make a person reach for drugs or alcohol.

Whatever the origin of the difficulty, the discomfort associated with it presents the individual with a real problem. He feels that his problem is major, persistent, and unsolvable. Most of us have experienced this type of problem to a greater or lesser degree.

For any of these reasons, some people begin to use alcohol or addictive drugs. Once the person takes the drug, the discomfort is relieved. Even though the relief is only temporary, the drug appears to solve the problem. That relief is valuable, and so the drug or alcohol becomes valuable. This value is the only reason the person uses drugs or alcohol again.

There are two key factors that determine who becomes an addict and who does not:

1. The first factor is peer pressure.

If, at the time of the discomfort, a person is exposed to peer pressure in favor of drug or alcohol use, that pressure can make him favor drugs or alcohol as a solution to life's difficulties. Peer pressure may come from friends or family or through advertising, television, movies, or music videos.

2. The second factor is the valuable relief the person felt when he used the drugs or alcohol.

The bigger the problem, the greater the discomfort, and the greater the value he assigns to that which brings about the relief.

When peer pressure combines with relief of the discomfort or problem, drug use becomes acceptable and even desirable.

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Addiction is one of the greatest and most costly public health problems in the United States. While all this publicity is going on for the H1N1 Virus, people are dying from a disease far more prevalent in our country. Addiction is the physical or mental dependence on a behavior or a substance. To take that a step further, dependence means that despite the harm it is causing in their lives, they are powerless to stop. It is not limited to drugs and alcohol. There are behaviors that can activate the reward system in the brain. This activation of the Dopaminergic system has the same effect as if someone uses Cocaine or Amphetamines.

Because of the similarities in response from the reward system of the brain, many addicts who are successfully able to quit illegal drug use or stop the use of alcohol will find themselves replacing the drug with behaviors such a sex, gambling, compulsive shopping, excessive exercise video games or even web surfing. Again, the definition of it being an addiction is when it brings harm to themselves or their lives.

Addictions to substances such as alcohol, illegal and prescribed drugs, tobacco and food bring with them other potential areas for harm. Many types of Cancer, Diabetes, liver diseases and life threatening interactions can result from a single use and from prolonged use. The problem becomes perplex due to the system of denial that protects the addict from seeing the harm he/she is causing to others and/or themselves. Add intensive outpatient therapy depression to this that most addictions come on slowly; it is difficult to accept that one needs help.

Help does exist. First and foremost, treatment is available for most any addiction that you might be battling. If you are a friend with an alcoholic or drug addict, most cities have intervention counselors to help you confront the addict and help them to see they are in trouble. You need treatment with the support of people who are struggling with the same addiction and from professionals who understand it. If you do not feel ready for this step, read on.

The next step is to begin Recovery. Once you are an addict, you will always be an addict. But just like a diabetic can control their disease, you can learn to control yours. It is learning about how to tolerate how you feel at any given moment and not have to participate in self destructive or self defeating behaviors and thoughts. It is realizing we did not get to the place we need recovery overnight so we will not travel to a place of healthy life and well being overnight either. One has to relearn how to have fun without the use of the addictive behavior or substance. It is about learning how to live life... on life's terms.

The next thing is to get involved with support ca iop groups. There are tons of support groups out there from spiritually based or church group ones all the way to the original Alcoholics Anonymous. There are groups for sex addicts and food addicts. There is no reason not to have a support group. There are even CODA groups for those that are co-dependent. Which means living with an addict and struggling not to make things easy for them.

Here are some resources for support groups:

(alcoholics anonymous)

(twelve steps to serenity)

Free 24 Hour Addiction Help Line ~ 888-691-3919

You can also check with your church for more spiritual based programs.

If you do not feel like you are ready for this step where others are involved or if you are not sure your loved one needs an intervention, there is an eBook you can get to evaluate and also to get some tools on your own.

Learn about alcoholic tendencies!

Acquire solution-focused services various treatment options!

Learn how to help a friend or family member who is alcoholic!

Learn about drug addiction and methods to deal with it!

Learn alternative methods to the AA approach!

And much, much more!

Remember above all things... seek balance in life. Learn to be happy in your own skin and you will soon find that you do not need to alter your reality!

Have a prosperous day!