Addiction to alcohol or other drugs may be:

Chronic – Once an addiction is developed, it will always have to be addressed. An addict may manage to stop using alcohol or other drugs for significant periods of time, but the disease typically does not disappear. Rather, it goes into remission. Should “normal” drug use be attempted, “out of control” use will return rapidly.

Progressive – Addiction gets worse over time. With some drugs, the decline is rapid. With others, like alcohol, it can be more gradual.

Primary – Addiction is not just a symptom of some underlying psychological problem. Once the use of alcohol or drugs becomes an addiction, the addiction itself needs to be treated as the primary illness.

Terminal – Addiction to alcohol or other drugs often leads to death through damage to major organs of the body. Also, the risks of contracting Hepatitis C and HIV rise with use.