The term "Chemical Dependency" is often used in conjunction with
and at times interchangeably with the terms: chemically
dependent, chemical dependence, alcoholism, addiction, substance
abuse, substance dependence, drug habit, and drug addiction. For
our purposes, the term chemical dependency, refers to a primary
illness or disease which is characterized by addiction to a
mood-altering chemical. Chemical dependency includes both drug
addiction and alcoholism (addiction to the drug alcohol). A
chemically dependent person is unable to stop drinking or taking
a particular mood-altering chemical despite serious health,
economic, vocational, legal, spiritual, and social consequences.
It is a disease that does not see age, sex, race, religion, or
economic status. It is progressive and chronic and if left
untreated can be fatal. When a person is chemically dependent,
they have lost the power of choice over using mood-altering
chemicals. They may be able to stop for awhile, but they will
return to its use again and a