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Chapter 3: Addiction & rehab
ISSUES
: Drugs
Chapter
3
Addiction & rehab
What does it mean to have an
addiction?
An addiction is when a person has lost control over doing, taking or using something.
It’s possible to become addicted to anything, but some addictions are more damaging
than others.
What are addictions?
Apersonwho is addicted tosomething
can’t control how they use it, or need
it to get through everyday life.
Addictions can be to substances, like
alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, or to
behaviours, like gambling or extreme
exercise.
Addictions are a problem when they
start to affect health in a bad way or
interfere with a person’s ability to lead
a normal life, as well as the people
around them.
Why do addictions happen?
A person might start to take a drug
or engage in an activity because it’s
enjoyable and not have a problem
with it at first.
They might do it because they feel
it helps them relax or to cope with
stress by covering up bad feelings.
As time goes by, the person might
find they need to do or take more of
a thing to get the same effect. They
can soon feel they need to take or
do the thing to feel ‘normal’.
What are physical
addictions?
Some substances make changes
to our bodies so that, over time,
our bodies really do ‘need’ the
substance to work normally. If they
don’t get enough of it, the person
gets cravings or ‘withdrawal’.
However, even if they do get the
substance they are addicted to, it
may still be damaging their health
in other ways. Addiction often
damages other areas of their lives
like money, their relationships,
studies and career.
Are you living with someone
with an addiction?
Living with or just being around
people who have problems with
alcohol, drugs or other addictions
can be hard.
It can be especially hard on you if
you have to cope with this alone.
It’s important that you talk to
someone about what’s happening
and get support where you can.
If you can’t speak to a trusted friend,
teacher or relative, call ChildLine
free at any time on 0800 1111.
Help for addictions
Help, support and advice is
available for people with addictions
to help them get better.
Lots of people turn to their doctor
first, and this can be a good place
to start.
Support groups can help people
work through the problems around
their substance abuse or behaviour.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses
and doctors can also help, and there
are lots of helplines and websites to
turn to.
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The above information is
reprinted with kind permission
from Young Scot. Please
visit young.scot for further
information.
© Young Scot 2016
