Chemical Dependency is a disease that has certain defining characteristics here are three of them:
1. It Is Chronic –
A disease that is chronic generally progresses slowly; it is constant and last over a long period of time. Examples of chronic diseases include heart disease, diabetes, emphysema, and arthritis. Due to the disease’s slow and subtle nature, the chemically dependent person and people close to them may not be aware of the negative changes being caused by the drug use or alcohol consumption.
2. It Is Progressive
Chemical dependency as a disease, is relentless persistent and pernicious. Left unchecked or untreated, the dependent person moves from the initial stage where chemical use seems to be helpful and pleasurable, into an uncontrollable craving and obsession. In the later stages of chemical dependency the person starts to suffer physical ravages. Many physical problems can arise or be accelerated by continued use. The user’s emotional, menta,l and spiritual stability is weakened. Due to the fact that the disease is progressive, the dependencey condition becomes worse and worse over time.
3. It Is Fatal –
If the person with chemical dependency continues to use their substance, the addiction will eventually lead to death. Death may take the form of an overdose, suicide, physical failure of the heart, kidneys, liver etc. It is the leading contributor to the emergency room admissions.
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The issues that get progressively worse as time goes on are the ones that get ignored. Most people don’t notice that something is up until several years after it starts happening.
The problem is no one ever goes out and suddenly says, “I’m going to become chemically dependent on something.” The stuff just sneaks up slowly on you and next thing you know, you are hooked. That’s why, back in my drinking days, I’d stopped drinking for long periods of time to make sure I was in control. For personal reasons, I stopped drinking permanently more than 20 years.
I agree with you tongyun. It sneaks up on you. Plus I do think that if people start noticing the signs for a while they will want to be in denial about it. By the time it becomes evident that something is wrong it is often much harder to stop being dependent. It does sneak up on you. I think denial is a huge part of why people don’t notice things when they first start happening.
You are absolutely right dreamr802. Most people are in denial about whether they are in control or if the chemical is in control. People will think they are in control when really they are not. I was lucky that I could monitor myself but not everyone is that lucky.