THE PERSON TRIES TO ESCAPE SOME PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL PAIN BY TAKING DRUGS.

THE PERSON FINDS THAT DRUGS OFFER TEMPORARY RELIEF, SO CONTINUES TO ABUSE THEM.

WITH CONTINUED USE OF THE DRUG, THE BODY'S ABILITY TO PRODUCE CERTAIN CHEMICALS IS DIMINISHED BECAUSE THESE CHEMICALS ARE REPLACED BY THE DRUG.

DEPRIVED OF IT'S OWN RESOURCES (AND THE ABILITY TO CREATE THEM) THE BODY PERCEIVES THAT IT NEEDS THE DRUG TO FUNCTION AND DEMANDS THE DRUG THROUGH PHYSICAL CRAVINGS.

CRAVINGS BECOME SO SEVERE THAT THE ADDICT WILL DO ALMOST ANYTHING (IN MANY CASES, ABANDONING ALL PREVIOUS MORAL TEACHINGS) TO GET MORE OF THE DRUG.

THE ADDICT COMMITS MISDEEDS AGAINST FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND THEMSELVES TO SATISFY UNRELENTING CRAVINGS.

BECAUSE OF THESE MISDEEDS. THE ADDICT CANNOT FACE HIM OR HERSELF AND DIVES DEEPER INTO DRUGS. THE PERSON IS NOW ENTRAPPED IN FULL BLOWN ADDICTION.

No one intends to become addicted to drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately many of us do. Addicts don't become addicted with the intention to destroy their lives and to cause upset to those they love. These conditions are the by-product of addiction. The addict lies to everyone, things start missing around the house, and the dishonesty conveyed is proportionate to the severity of the addiction. These things are apparent to those living with an addict.

Our experiences show that the drug addict or alcoholic is usually an intelligent and most often creative person with much hope for the future. This only adds to the calamity of their downfall. As the addict slips down the spiral, their loved ones try to deny the problem exists, sometimes for years. This is a part of the vicious cycle of addiction.

Drugs are essentially a pain-killer. They cover up emotional and physical pain, providing the user with a temporary and illusionary escape from life. When a person is unable to cope with some aspect of their reality and is introduced to drugs, they feel they have perhaps solved the problem itself. The more a person uses drugs or alcohol, the more inflated the problem becomes. More problems are created by their use.

This becomes the center of their focus. Soon enough the person feels the need to use consistently, and will do anything to get high. Narconon understand the reason why someone becomes an addict. We know why it so difficult to get off drugs and stay off them. We understand the reason, and thus, we have the solution.

What must be understood is the bio-chemical aspects of addiction and the fact that something called "metabolites" are produced after taking a drug and are stored in the body long after one has stopped using drugs. Metabolites are a powerful source and reason for cravings. They are a key in the riddle of why addicts who stop using the drug revert to using them again. These metabolites are formed and act as a substitute for natural body chemicals. As an addict's own natural chemicals deplete as a result of drug use, these metabolites begin to function as a substitute and a very poor one indeed!

The body becomes by-passed in producing its own chemicals and begins to rely on these metabolites to play vital roles related to mental and physical well-being. Now, when the addict attempts to stop using these drugs, the body, damaged and depleted of its own natural body chemicals will demand more of the drug to produce metabolites. And hence, the person is caught in a trap in which the extreme discomfort of being without the drug, mentally and physically. The cravings seem insurmountable to the addict.

These cravings are so intense and uncomfortable that it induces the addict to commit acts such as stealing from one's own family in order to get the drug. The addict does things that he normally wouldn't do, were he not addicted. These misdeeds make it even more difficult for the addict to face and confront the situation. The addict's sense of self worth and respect are reduced to a state of complete confusion. Introversion occurs, and the addict's sense of self reduces further. This perpetuates his desire for more drugs. Physically, the person feels hopelessly addicted. Faced with the penalty of extreme discomfort, stopping drug abuse seems impossible. Emotionally, the addict is ruthlessly robbed of his sense of self worth.

The addict is caught in a trap. It is a trap that appears inescapable unless effective intervention handles the condition. That means both the metabolites are flushed clean from the body and that the person's self-worth and identity is rehabilitated through effective social education. Narconon has the solution.