Q: If someone can stop using drugs or alcohol for weeks at a
time, they “aren’t” an addict—correct?

A. Not necessarily.
I’ve seen a few instances where an addict/alcoholic will stop using for weeks at a time. They might stop because of a bad consequence that occurred, or maybe their spouse moved out, or they’ve encountered a legal problem of some kind. There are even some people who develop a pattern of this; they abstain for a period and then go on a binge. The real issue is still one of control. When using, can they control their use? For the alcoholic/addict, the answer is always the same: No.

This “Q & A with Joe” is excerpted from Part 5 of “Why Don’t They Just Quit? What families and friends need to know about addiction and recovery.”

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MORE ASK JOE:
>Chronic Pain Management & Pain Pill Addiction: What to do?
>How can I know if my addicted friend or loved one is telling the truth?
>Should my husband “back off?”
>Gambling vs. Drug Addiction? What is your opinion?
>How can I tell if someone is an addict/alcoholic or just a heavy user?
>What is Methadone? What is Harm Reduction?

RELATED:
> Self-Tests: Alcohol and Drug Addiction

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