INCREASED TOLERANCE
LONG-TERM PAIN AND DYSFUNCTION
ADDICTIVE THINKING
SHORT-TERM GRATIFICATION
BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIAL DAMAGE
LOSS OF CONTROL
First there is short-term gratification. You feel good NOW
Eventually there is damage to the health of your body (physical health), mind (psychological health), and relationships with other people (social health)
Without your being aware that it is happening, more and more of the drug is required to produce the same effect
Obsession (continuous thinking about the positive effects of using alcohol and drugs). Compulsion (an irrational urge or craving to use the drug to get the positive effect even though you know it will hurt you in the long run)
Your feelings and emotions become distorted by the compulsion. You become stressed and uncomfortable until finally the urge to use is so strong that you cannot resist it
This pain, part from physical withdrawal, and part from the inability to cope psycho-socially without drugs/alcohol.
