A Professional Definition Of Addiction

flybenji : I looked over your web page - it's humbling to see that you have turned your tragedy into voice for change - warm fuzzies for everyone who cares about addiction as a condition rather than a moral dilemma -
I thought that I would share and am surprised if you don't already know, but "dependencies" are already classified in the DSM IV along with all the other mental disorders this is done this way for INSURANCE purposes. I do agree that "addiction" needs it's own all inclusive classification - then perhaps people would look at the condition as a whole rather than compartmentalize it - the problem with that is "addiction" has become such a stereotypical word that it is both misunderstood and misrepresented by professionals and recovering people alike -
SO my friend, you and I need to get together and advocate for the future definition of addiction to consist unilaterally of a biogenetic /psychosocial /chronic progressive illness with cultural and family dynamics." that is the characteristic definition I have used with past inpatient client and all client's who I have explained it to "seem" to understand it. Is it so hard to understand that even the most complex issues can be simply understood if one only opens his or her mind.
Keep up the passion.

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Carl Agoston, MS, NCC, CADC