Grass-roots heroin fighters move into Ohio
She has organized meetings to educate the community, provided resource lists for those suffering from addiction and created the Community Recovery Project, a support and resources group on opiate and heroin addiction because, as the website says … Read more on Cincinnati.com

Woman faces aggravated vehicular homicide charges
Derbyshire's grandmother and Lowe's ex-wife, Ruth Derbyshire, told The Eagle-Gazette that her granddaughter should recover but will most likely have neck problems for the rest of her life. Derbyshire and Lowe … She also is facing two first-degree … Read more on Lancaster Eagle Gazette

Planning Commission recommends rehab clinic, tattoo studio
Matt Bell, owner of Phoenix Recovery Center, applied for a conditional use permit to allow a drug and alcohol treatment clinic in support of the chemical-free transitional housing facility established in the Brown Subdivision in 2012. “This permit will … Read more on Log Cabin Democrat

Three faces of addiction, recovery
Three Sturgeon Bay residents shared their stories about addiction and recovery during the Door County Alcohol and Other Drug Coalition's Faces of Recovery event Thursday. The event … Knipfer ended up at Nova treatment center later that day. “I … Read more on Green Bay Press Gazette

“I was a prolific offender, absolutely ruthless and a dirty smackhead …
RECOVERING drug addicts took centre stage to share their stories in front of dignitaries – before staging a tongue-in-cheek play. Darlington's mayor, Councillor Gerald Lee, handed out awards at a ceremony hosted by local charity NECA. The event was … Read more on The Northern Echo

Indiana addicts trapped in rehab backlog
Megan Berry, recovering heroin addict 22-year-old Megan Berry became … It's no surprise to substance abuse counselors at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, an inpatient rehab support facility in Indianapolis. “They will desperately call here … Read more on WISH-TV

Former addict shares story of loss and second chances
LANCASTER – Stephanie Stegmeier was never arrested for using or selling drugs, even though she had been part of that world for more than a dozen years. Stegmeier, 31, has experienced a lot as a former and recovering addict. She was robbed at gunpoint … Read more on Lancaster Eagle Gazette

The Delray Recovery Center Releases “How to Tell a Loved One about Your …
However, the guide claims that being open and honest will be the only way to get help and to recover from addiction. “How to Tell a Loved One about Your Drug Addiction” will be the 14th ebook that they have released talking about various aspects of … Read more on PR Web (press release)

The facts on Ebola
Wear protective clothing (masks, gloves, impermeable gowns and goggles/face shields) if available. After any contact, wash your hands using soap and water (preferred) or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Use soap and … Read more on WOODTV.com

Cherokee Nation opens youth addiction facility
The Cherokee Nation celebrated Monday the construction of its $ 5 million Jack Brown Center in Tahlequah. The treatment center helps American Indian ages 13 to 18 overcome drug and alcohol addiction. It's one of only 10 centers of its kind in the … Read more on NewsOK.com

Million Abuse Treatment Center Now Open
The Cherokee Nation celebrated the grand opening of its new Jack Brown Center Monday in Tahlequah. It's a treatment center for Cherokee youth who are overcoming drug and alcohol addiction. The center is now able to serve 36 young adults and is one of … Read more on KTUL

Motorcycle crash victim warns other teens
It took months before they were able to go home from the hospital and rehab centers and even more time before they were able to walk. "Both my hands were … for causing the crash. His blood alcohol level was double the legal limit at the time of the … Read more on Lancaster Eagle Gazette

Child injured in motorcycle crash recovering at home
Hailey Derbyshire, center, walks down a ramp with Roger Conrad, right, and her grandmother, Ruth Derbyshire, Friday at her home on Second Street in Lancaster. Conrad built the ramp for Hailey so she could get to … Police had said she also could face … Read more on Lancaster Eagle Gazette

Local group's simulated teen 'pharm' party aims to inform parents about dangers
Along with the Family Resource Center, the Bannock Youth Foundation operates Bannock House, a shelter for teens, MK Place, an inpatients and outpatient substance and behavior treatment center for teens, and Square One, transitional housing program for … Read more on Idaho State Journal

CDC to Call for New Ebola Protections for Medical Workers
The newest guidelines will contain specific recommendations, such as urging workers to cover all of their skin and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer on protective gloves. They also recommend a dressing room be set up outside medical-care areas, and that … Read more on Businessweek

Question by DLM: What is the current medical definition of “addiction?” (more)?
Also, does the definition differ from one substance to another, or in the case of gambling or other behaviors, where there is no chemical dependency, is there a separate definition for those as well?

I am just curious about the “umbrella” that the word addiction covers in the medical world, versus common everyday ‘people-talk’ use of the word. The more specifics you can provide, the better.

Best answer:

Answer by John de Witt
You’ll want a DSM-IV for all the definitions you’d ever care to look at.

What do you think? Answer below!

Drug use on the rise in Nigeria's biggest city
Kano has the country's highest drug abuse rate based on the number of seizures, arrests of addicts and convictions of arrested dealers, according to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). "It is a painful fact that Kano tops the drug abuse … Read more on News24

Spotlight on drug abuse will help prevention
Brown attended a roundtable discussion in Chicago this fall held by the Center for Health and Justice, in conjunction with the Office of National Drug Control Policy, to look at the larger picture of the U.S. drug problem. Brown said it was an honor to … Read more on Lancaster Eagle Gazette

TINA GUMMERSON: Drug prevention is working
The term “war on drugs” is a phrase seldom ever used because substance abuse is a public health problem, not a war. Addiction is a disease that can be treated. People who become addicted to drugs often start down that road by making a bad choice or two … Read more on Galesburg Register-Mail

Varied paths to recovery could be on the way
Also when contacted, Pickaway Area Recovery Services discussed an interest in opening an inpatient drug rehabilitation facility in Fairfield County. Barry Bennett, the executive director of Pickaway ARS, said the agency is in the preliminary stages of …
Read more on Lancaster Eagle Gazette

Mom accused of giving daughters heroin pleads to lesser charge
Common Pleas Judge John T. Wallace sentenced her yesterday to one year of drug treatment in an outpatient clinic and three years on probation. The sentence will be served in lieu of conviction, an option available to judges in such cases. The charge …
Read more on Columbus Dispatch