Addiction is defined as the repetitive, compulsive use of a substance that occurs despite negative consequences to the user. Addiction depends on many different factors in a person's life including family history, personality, mental health, and life experience. Most people don't get addicted and there are a variety of reasons why not. First, if someone doesn't experiment with drugs or alcohol, they wont get addicted, Second, if a person has a stable family and school life, is healthy, has supportive friends, and no family history of substance abuse they are less vulnerable to becoming addicted. If a person's drinking is hurting them or others, most people would stop the behavior. Who wants to cause themselves or someone else pain? But the chemically dependent person cannot stop. That is why it is a disease. As a disease, chemical dependency has a set of distinct characteristics that make it recognizable and definable by professionals. There is a compulsion to drink. Sometimes inappropriate, unpredictable, excessive and constant. Drinking and drug use cause the person emotional, physical, and relationship problems. Many users claim it is the other way around. The disease is predictable and progressive. Even if the person stops drinking for awhile, when they start again the disease will pick up where it left off. The disease is permanent, chronic and fatal. It follows a predictable course, and is fatal if allowed to continue. The disease is treatable. Although there is no cure for chemical dependency, the disease can be stopped. Every person is different. There are chemically dependent people who drink every day, carrying a bottle around with them, and chemically dependent people who only drink once a month but when they do they suffer from complete loss of control which causes disruption in their lives. Addicted people will show at least three or more of the following symptoms to cause concern: Loss of control people will make drinking plans ( I'll only drink a few beers, only one weekend night, only wine), but once they start it ends up being larger amounts. The use is excessive: they drink a lot or frequently They spend a lot of time recovering They drink at inappropriate times Drinking becomes a priority They continue to drink despite negative consequences They build up a tolerance level to drinking. They need more to get the same high They experience withdrawal if they stop using over extended periods of time (Anxiety headaches, not being able to relax, etc.)