Why, Do People Become Addicted?

[Cricket]

mr body, you are correct that when used only when needed, Benzos are a very useful medication! I used responsibly for 3 years under Doc supervision and it was a lifesaver, but not everyone can stick with this regimen. Marijuana,Tobacco, alcohol, and Benzos, all but the MJ are still a part of my daily life and I have reduced alcohol and Benzos but am getting to the point where "I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired" I don't even come from a family with a history of addiction? Best to all of you who struggle as I have-FF

The way I see it is, there's addiction and dependence. To me an addict is someone who has no medical need for the med, but takes it to get "high". A person with medical need becomes dependent on it to be able to function daily. Most people that are dependent can control how much they take and can use "will power" in most cases to use as directed. Not saying that everyone can control how much they use, but when you've been on these addictive meds for a long time, there is no "high". At least in my case. To just take more and more to look for that high is a waste of the med for which you will only suffer when you run out early.
The only thing I believe addiction and dependence have in common is that both will suffer w/d's when stopped abruptly. It's an unfortunate side effect, but w/d's can be avoided with using self control. You have to decide for yourself what's more important to you. Have fun now and pay later, or slow down and make sure you won't run short. I know it's not easy to say no when you have them in front of you, but we have to be responsible or suffer the consequences. JMO

Cricket