Addictive illness involves a set of behaviors that are common among addicted individuals, whether or not they share an addiction to the same substance or behavioral pattern.

The addiction may involve the use of substances such as alcohol and/or drugs. It may involve compulsive use of food, sex, gambling, spending or work. Many addicts are polyaddicted. In other words, they are addicted to more than one substance or behavior.

Characteristics of Addictive Illness include:

• Tolerance: increased amount of substance/behavior needed to achieve desired effect.
• Withdrawal: painful symptoms of emotional or physical nature when substance/behavior denied.
• Escalation in use of substance/behavior over time.
• Desire but inability to cut down or stop use of behavior or substance.
• Excessive amount of time devoted to obtaining substance/behavior and/or recovering from its effects/use.
• Important relationship activities, job functions or pleasures given up or decreased due to substance use or behavior involvement.
• Pattern continues despite the individual knowing that it is destructive to physical/psychological health.

There is help available through 12 Step recovery programs:

AA:	Alcoholics Anonymous www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
NA:	Narcotics Anonymous www.na.org
SLAA:	Sex and Love Addictions Anonymous www.slaafws.org
OA:	Overeaters Anonymous www.overeatersanonymous.org
GA:	Gamblers Anonymous www.gamblersanonymous.org
DA:	Debtors Anonymous www.debtorsanonymous.org

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TROUGH

Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.
1600 Corporate Landing Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617
Phone: (757) 563-1600
Fax: (757) 563-1655
Email: WSO@al-anon.org
Internet address: www.al-anon.alateen.org

Makes referrals to local Al-Anon groups, which are support groups for spouses and other significant adults in an alcoholic person’s life. Also makes referrals to Alateen groups, which offer support to children of alcoholics. Free informational materials and locations of Al-Anon or Alateen meetings worldwide can be obtained by calling the toll-free number (888) 425-2666 from the United States or Canada, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (EST).

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) World Services, Inc.
475 Riverside Drive, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10115
Phone: (212) 870-3400
Fax: (212) 870-3003
Email: via AA’s Web site
Internet address: http://www.aa.org

Makes referrals to local AA groups and provides informational materials on the AA program. Many cities and towns also have a local AA office listed in the telephone book. All communication should be directed to AA’s mailing address: AA World Services, Inc., Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 459, New York, NY 10163.

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD)
20 Exchange Place, Suite 2902
New York, NY 10005
Phone: (212) 269-7797
Fax: (212) 269-7510
Email: national@ncadd.org
HOPE LINE: (800) NCA-CALL (24-hour Affiliate referral)
Internet address: http://www.ncadd.org

Offers educational materials and information on alcoholism. Provides phone numbers of local NCADD Affiliates (who can provide information on local treatment resources) via the above toll-free, 24- hour HOPE LINE.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Scientific Communications Branch 6000
Executive Boulevard, Willco Building, Suite 409
Bethesda, MD 20892-7003
Phone: (301) 443-3860
Fax: (301) 480-1726
Email: niaaaweb-r@exchange.nih.gov
Internet address: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov

Makes available free informational materials on all aspects of alcoholism, including the effects of drinking during pregnancy, alcohol use and the elderly, and help for cutting down on drinking.