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The Obsessive-Compulsive factor

All addicts become obsessed with their addiction. Nothing seems as important as being involved in the addiction. Family,
work, even personal health takes a back seat to the addictive behavior. Constantly thinking about repeating the destructive
behavior that comes from this response will ruin a person’s life and severely hurt all of those around them.

An important problem that occurs as a result of addictive behavior
One of the major problems for people actively engaged in their addiction is sleep disruption and sleep deprivation. This
problem usually starts when someone is in the second "Life Style Change " phase of the addiction process. Sleep
deprivation becomes a major issue in the latter stage of "Life Breakdown". When our body is deprived of its needed sleep,
both physical and emotional deterioration occurs and this adds to the stress and problems that are already facing the addict.

Factors that affect recovery from addicts

At a statewide meeting for the New Jersey Public Defenders Office, I presented what I called "CHANCES OF
RECOVERY RATING SCALE". In this scale, I listed the factors for recovery and a formula for determining the prospects
for an individual to get beyond their addiction. From this scale you will get a general idea of the different factors.

What's common to all addictions is that both the addict and their loved ones are trapped by the
addiction and motivation and persisitance will be two of the keys to helping get past the pain and
loss that this problem causes.