Substance dependence includes addition to drugs, smoking, alcohol and any other addictive substances.  Drug addiction is a pathological or abnormal condition which arises due to frequent drug use.  There are three stages of addiction:preoccupation/anticipation, binge/intoxication, and withdrawal/negative affect.  The dependence (addition) can be psychological and physical.  The former refers to the need of the drug to cope, function or feel comfortable.  The latter happens when the body has adapted to the presence of the drug and needs more to get the same effect.

In Canada, according to Statistics Canada 2003, in 2002 2.6% of Canadians were dependent on alcohol and less than 1% are dependent on illegal drugs.  The actual numbers may be higher because of factors such as stigma, which regards substance dependence as shameful.

TCM (Traditional Chinese medicine) considers the effects of drugs as serious injuries to all the five Yin organ systems, namely Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lungs and Kidney, as well as the Qi in the body.  The approach is to nourish the Yin, tonify the Qi, which will in turn reduce the craving and dependence.  Acupuncture is a proven effective method in quiting drugs and we have had success in practice.