What is Addiction ?
People who are addicted cannot control their need for alcohol or other drugs, even in the face of negative health, social or legal consequences. This lack of control is the result of alcohol- or drug-induced changes in the brain. Those changes, in turn, cause behavior changes. Addiction was a term used to describe a devotion, attachment, dedication, inclination, etc. The term is often reserved for drug addictions but it is sometimes applied to other compulsions, such as problem gambling, and compulsive overeating. Factors that have been suggested as causes of addiction include genetic, biological/pharmacological and social factors. Some people who are not prone bio-genetically to alcoholism or other addictions will acquire the condition. Therefore, social and psychological forces will remain very important in determining who does and who does not develop addictive behaviors.
Most addictions take time to develop and almost no one deliberately sets out to become addicted to a substance. Giving up an addiction or dependency can be very difficult, but it can be done. Some people need more help than others, but if you are serious about giving up, there is addiction treatment available and you can do it. A pain pill addiction produces a very strong physical dependency, and people dependent on pain pills will begin to suffer the initial symptoms of painful withdrawal within a few hours of the last dose wearing off.