by Rya Joshi

Created on: October 29, 2009

A few days back there was a flash news about the illegal use of drug by the world-famous tennis player Andrew Agassi. He has admitted that he had been using crystal meth, a potent and addictive synthetic stimulant drug, which affects the central nervous system. According to a report by 'The times of London', Agassi had written in his book that Slim, his assistant, was the person who introduced him to crystal meth, dumping a small pile of powder on the coffee table. Drug has been a threatening menace of life, not only to the sports world but to every field of career.

What is an addiction?

Addiction is defined as a state of dependence produced by the habitual taking of any of certain drugs, etc. Starting as a craze, addiction becomes an obsession, and then an addiction over a period of time. Generally, people get addicted to activities or things, which give them thrill or a sense of gratification.

Various addictions

The list of addictions goes on extending day by day. Addiction to alcohol, drugs, food, sex and even some activities like shopping are considered mental disorders, which need medication. Some activities like addiction to cyberspace are not yet included in the psychiatry list of addictions.

Ten Characteristics of Addiction

1) Addiction is a dependency

The addicted person is completely dependent on the drug or habit that had enslaved him.

He is not free to do anything properly. His mind is always hovering about the object of addiction.

2) Addiction is a disease

It is a disease of an involuntary disability. Opinions may differ in stamping the addicted as invalid. But either physically or psychologically the addicted persons are deviated from the normal track of health. Though the addicted person may seem to be normal, it leads to malnutrition and other problems. It gets worse in course of time if it is not treated and de-addicted.

3) It obsesses a person

Experts like psychotherapist Dr. Samir Malhotra say that addiction is a complex behavior, which is difficult to be categorized. Addiction obsesses a person completely restricting his activities. He is unable to carry out anything that could have been performed by him easily.

4) An addict spends most of the day in the addicted activity

An addict spends even 16-20 hours of a day on the activity, avoiding even the daily chores. An alcoholic addict spends most of the day under the spell of drinking and intoxication.

5) The addiction gives a temporary pleasure

The addicted derives a temporary pleasure

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