People typically start to use drugs or alcohol in their teens or young adulthood; some will develop a substance use disorder depending on the properties of the drug. If a person has not started using a substance by age 20, then it is unlikely they will develop a problem with that substance.

Being physically dependent is when someone develops a tolerance for a drug, needing higher doses for the drug to be effective. In contrast, substance use, or addiction, is defined by continued use of the substance despite negative consequences and the inability to maintain a job, continue school, or fulfill other responsibilities. Someone with an addiction is preoccupied by obtaining or using the drug and makes repeated attempts to stop using or control usage. There is physical withdrawal when the person stops using the substance.

Addiction is a brain disease. Although initial drug use might be voluntary, drugs of abuse have been shown to alter genes and brain circuitry, which in turn affect behavior. Once addiction develops, these brain changes interfere with a person’s ability to make voluntary decisions, leading to compulsive craving, seeking and use. An example of an addiction is alcoholism.

In 2006, an estimated 22.6 million persons age 12 or older in the US were classified as being dependent or abusing substances (9.2 percent of the total population 12 or older.)

Men are twice as likely as women to abuse or be dependent on substances.

AUDIT (Alcohol Usage) Questionnaire

--Developed by World Health Organization

1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?

0 Never 1 Monthly 2 2-4x a month 3 2-3x a week 4 4+ times a month

2. How many units of alcohol do you drink on a typical day when you are drinking?

0 1 or 2 1 3 or 4 2 5 or 6 3 7,8 or 9 4 10 or more

3. 3. How often do you have six or more units of alcohol on one occasion?

0 Never 1 Less than monthly 2 Monthly 3 Weekly 4 daily or almost daily

4. How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?

0 Never 1 Less than monthly 2 Monthly 3 Weekly 4 daily or almost daily

5. How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking?

0 Never 1 Less than monthly 2 Monthly 3 Weekly 4 Daily or almost daily

6. How often during the last year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking sessions?

0 Never 1 Less than monthly 2 Monthly 3 Weekly 4 Daily or almost daily

7. How often during the last year have you had a feeling of remorse or guilt after drinking?

0 Never 1 Less than monthly 2 Monthly 3 Weekly 4 Daily or almost daily

8. How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?

0 Never 1 less than monthly 2 Monthly 3 Weekly 4 Daily or almost daily

9. Have you or someone else been injured as a result of your drinking?

0 No 2 Yes but not in the last year 4 Yes, during the last year

10. Has a relative or friend or doctor or another health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?

0 No 2 Yes but not in the last year 4 Yes, during the last year

Maximum score is 40

A score of 8 or greater indicates a drinking problem, which requires further attention.

At C4 Recovery Point, men and women ages 18 and older can find integrated care that treats both substance use and mental health disorders. Many people who use drugs have a dual diagnosis due to a combination of genetics, developmental, biological, or sociological factors. Some may self-medicate with drugs to treat depression, anxiety or other mental problems.

Recovery Point offers individual as well as group substance use counseling. There are two levels of outpatient care offered: for intensive services, consumers receive up to 15 hours treatment every week. When necessary, a psychiatrist can determine if medication can help and will monitor its use.

People receiving care at C4 Recovery Point can also find help locating housing and receive assistance in finding jobs through C4’s Supported Employment Program.

For more information on Recovery Point Services, or to schedule an appointment, call 773.303.3000.

Jim broke the cycle of drug addiction thanks to C4’s Recovery Point. C4’s counselors helped Jim rebuild his life, one step at a time, after nearly 20 years of drug addiction.

“C4 helped me get my life back,” Jim says. C4’s counselors remained committed to Jim’s recovery even when he lapsed back into old behaviors.

Now Jim volunteers at an Alano Club to support others’ recovery from drug addiction.

It’s the simple things in life that count most. For Jim, it was hugging his six-year-old son at his family reunion, his first in 20 years.

His drug addiction had put Jim on the streets and into the state penitentiary. For almost two decades, Jim’s life had been a relentless cycle of homelessness, treatment, recovery, and then return to using.

Referred by his homeless shelter, Jim began receiving intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment at C4’s Recovery Point in August 2005. As Jim’s recovery progressed, he was able to secure more stable housing. Despite this, Jim relapsed often, slipping into old patterns. Yet C4 counselors stuck by him, somehow knowing down deep that Jim would recover.

Jim successfully completed treatment shortly before Thanksgiving 2006. Just a month later, he celebrated his first year anniversary of sobriety. With help from C4, Jim gained the confidence to get a job at Borders three days a week. He also volunteers at the Mustard Seed, a 24-hour Alano Club for those in recovery from addiction.

“C4 helped me get my life back,” observes Jim.

Intertested in substance use treatment or other C4 services?

Interested in journaling or other C4 services? Call 773.769.0205 to get started.