Symptoms of Chemical Dependency

Physiological Effects: Alcohol and drugs damage every major organ system of the body, becuse they go everywhere your blood does.

• Liver damage: Occurs in five phases. Inflamation, Ascities (fluid build up around the liver), bridging fibrosis, scirrosis, and liver cancer. After reaching the third phase (bridging fibrosis) the damage that exists is permanent.
• Inflamation of the Pancreas: Very painful and irreversible.
• Renal failure: When the kidneys cease to function. If only one is damaged, it can be removed. If both are damaged, the addict must obtain a kidney transplant or receive dialysis treatments three times weekly.
• Gastrointestinal problems: Stomach ulcers are common with extended alcohol use.
• Heart and circulatory problems: Alcohol abuse increases the chances of a heart attack tenfold. Stimulants cause very fast, irregular heart beats (tachycardia) and Premature Ventricular Contractions.All substance use has a negative effect on the body's ability to circulate oxygenated blood to vital organs.
• Immune system: Substance use severely compromises the body's ability to fight off infections, viruses, cold's, and diseases by depleting the body's white blood cell count.
• Reproductive system: Substance use causes sterility (in men AND women), and even worse, birth defects in unborn children.
• Lungs: The lungs are severely affected by substances that are smoked or inhaled, such as Marijuana, Tobacco, and various inhalants.
• The senses: Sight, Smell, and Taste are profoundly affected by the use of most substances.
• The Brain (of course): Psychoactive substances kill brain cells. The brain does not make new ones, but if a person stops using, some of the previously unused cells will

F L E S H : An Assessment of consequences

• Family: complaints, arguments, or family dysfunction as a result of use. Changing circle of friends: Associating with people who use greater amounts of substances, in order to blend in and not be noticed.
• Legal Problems: Charges of DUI, Negligent Driving, Minor in Possession, or any other Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act (VUCSA) is an indication that substance use is a problem.
• Employment or Education problems: Being late to work, not showing up at all, or reduced performance due to use. This includes working or going to school under the influence, or hung over. with a Damaging relationships due to substance use: Letting friends down, spending less time with nonusing friends, and relationship problems, as a result of use.
• Social problems: Changing or reducing social activities to accomodate increased use. Avoiding situations in which we are not allowed to use a substance.This also includes missing important occasions or events as a result of substance use.
• Health: Physical complications of use, including, but not limited to the Physiological effects listed above.

Effects on the family

• Codependency. Those people around the addicted person suffer from a delayed identity crisis. They focus primarily on keeping the addict happy rather than meeting their own needs.
• Shame, Guilt, and Fear. Many of the addict's family members feel responsible for the substance use. Many codependents blame themselves for the problems of others.
• Unwritten Rules: Don't talk, don't trust, don't feel, don't make waves. Family members avoid discussing issues of personal importance, and focus on keeping another family member content. These unwritten rules help keep the dysfunctional system operational.
• Family roles: The following roles often occur in dysfunctional families; The Hero or overachiever, The Scapegoat or problem child, The Lost Child or loner, The Mascot or Class Clown, and of course, the Chief Enabler. This is the person who inadvertently enables the dependent person to continue using, by preventing consequences of the use.