Medical authorities have established that alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases in which there is a preoccupation with alcohol or drugs, coupled with a loss of control over their consumption.
Addiction may be arrested (not cured) by treatment. It is perfectly acceptable social behavior to seek treatment; it is anti-social to continue to use or persist in deleterious addictive behavior, or allow a debilitating emotional condition to continue on untreated, once the problem is recognized.
Some symptoms of addiction are:
The inability to guarantee one's actions after starting to drink, use drugs, or engage in other addictive behavior;
Deteriorating physical or mental health accompanying a pattern of heavy drinking or drugging or engaging in other destructive addictive behavior;Impaired ability to work or concentrate;
Disrupted personal relationships;
Denial that alcohol or drugs, or other addictions, are a problem despite it being obvious to others;
Defiance, impatience, intolerance, impulsiveness. | The nature of addiction.
Addiction is a progressive disease - without treatment, it only gets worse, never better. In the makeup of the addict or alcoholic, tenseness and inner unrest produce a condition relieved only by a drink, a drug, gambling, sexual acting out, et cetera, and which, once relieved, sets up the demand for more. This repetitious use of alcohol, drugs, etc., as a relief firmly establishes the progression of the addiction. When the addict or alcoholic starts to use again after a period of "being on the wagon", his or her condition almost immediately reverts to the point where it left off.
HELP IS AVAILABLE
If you have a drug, alcohol, or other serious addiction problem - or if you know an attorney who does - and would like to seek help, there is an organization ready to assist you. There is someone, most likely right in your area, who is waiting for the call.
Help is available from Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers.
Contact ULHL at 579-0404
or 1 (800) 530-3743.
When you call, someone will take your name and telephone number (or you can leave this information on the ULHL voice mail). You will be given the name of a person in your area who can offer you in-depth assistance and help you decide what steps should be taken for you or the person you're concerned about. |
