OUTLINE

Introduction

Diagnostic criteria

Definition of terms

Addiction cycle

Phases of addiction process

Factors that increases risk of addiction

Theories of addiction

Treatment

Complications of addiction

Conclusion

References

INTRODUCTION

•Addiction is a state of dependence produced either by the habitual taking of drugs or by regular engaging in certain behavior. ( Advanced oxford dictionary).

It is a chronically relapsing disorder characterized by:

Compulsion to seek and take the drug.

Loss of control in limiting intake.

Emergence of a negative emotional state when access to the drug is prevented. (e.g  irritability, dysphoria, anxiety).

The term “addiction” – negative stigma, hence the term dependence.

DEPENDENCE– It is a cluster of physiological, behavioural and cognitive phenomenon in which the use of a substance or a class of substance take a much higher priority for a given individual than other behaviour that ones had greater value.