Addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming certain substances, whether it's drugs, alcohol or tobacco, even if the person is aware that they are harmful.

In the case of drug addicts, for example, psychoactive substances reach the brain and have a psychoactive effect, meaning they induce a state.

Loredana Pod, psychotherapist and clinical psychologist specializing in addictions and codependency: "If a person often experiences states of hyperactivation (anxiety or anger), their preferred substances will be those with an inhibitory effect - alcohol or cannabis. If a person tends to face states of hypoactivation (apathy, depression, lack of energy), then they will prefer stimulant substances - caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, etc. So, consumption constitutes an emotional regulation strategy".

Addicted individuals often find this refuge, mostly after a trauma in their personal life. What begins as a temporary escape turns over time into a prison.

Loredana Pod, psychotherapist and clinical psychologist specializing in addictions and codependency: "Consuming certain substances is an emotional coping mechanism, the only one that many know. That is why it tends to be repeated because it works momentarily. What begins as a temporary relief turns over time into a prison. Those who reach the stage of addiction have one or more traumas in their personal life. On the other hand, consumption is an escape".

Specialists talk about a single diagnostic category - substance use disorders, after the diagnostic criteria for substance dependencies have changed significantly in recent years.

Dr. Gabriella Bondoc, primary psychiatrist and psychotherapist: "Substance use disorders involve 11 criteria, and if a person meets more than 2 criteria for a period of at least 12 months, significantly in those 12 months, then we can diagnose a substance use disorder".

In pursuit of the intended effect, these individuals will escalate their substance use, which leads to the development of addiction.

Dr. Gabriella Bondoc, primary psychiatrist and psychotherapist: "The person experiences emotional and physical distress, either when trying to reduce or quit the substance. Then, the person uses more substance or for a longer period than intended, makes repeated efforts to try to quit or has the desire to quit. A considerable amount of their time is dedicated to activities associated with substance use. Consumption occurs despite the fact that the person knows they may have associated problems".

Once a state of dependence is established, both the individuals affected and their families require support, either on an individual basis or through group assistance.

Loredana Pod, psychotherapist and clinical psychologist specializing in addictions and codependency: "It starts with motivational interviewing when the person has low intrinsic motivation for change. This is the case for people who do not fully realize that they have a problem. Holistic approaches can include cognitive-behavioral therapy, somatic therapy, emotional self-regulation techniques, the development of socio-emotional skills and trauma therapy. Meditation and yoga practices also help. Relapse prevention with the identification of triggers, managing cravings and coping with urges are also essential steps".

There are several risk factors when it comes to addictions – individual, familial, educational and cultural factors – all of which increase the likelihood of problems in the addiction sphere.

Loredana Pod, psychotherapist and clinical psychologist specializing in addictions and codependency: "Individual risk factors - related to the person - genetic vulnerability, a history of illness, difficult temperament, adverse childhood experiences; familial risk factors- dysfunctional family relationships, lack of family rules, authoritarian, permissive or uninvolved parenting styles, divorce, absent parents; educational risk factors - lack of involvement from key players in educational institutions, hiding substance use to avoid harming the institution's image, poorly implemented regulations; and cultural risk factors - lack of anti-drug policies, insufficient human resources and institutions for prevention and intervention in addictions, consumer role models, especially in social media, poorly implemented legislative norms".

Physical addiction occurs when the body increasingly feels the need to consume a certain substance in increasing quantities. Psychological addiction, on the other hand, occurs when an emotional or psychological desire for a substance or a behavior pushes a person to seek the satisfaction of consumption.

Loredana Pod, psychotherapist and clinical psychologist specializing in addictions and codependency: "In case of inhibitory substances, there is a slowing of movements, a state of drowsiness, dizziness, facial redness, decreased eye-hand coordination and spatial orientation and a certain euphoric state. In case of stimulant substances, there is an increase in energy and a decrease in appetite and need for sleep. After these stimulating effects, the reverse usually occurs: a state of apathy, depression and more pronounced lack of energy".

Loredana Pod, psychotherapist and clinical psychologist specializing in addictions and codependency: "When a case of substance use is noticed, the first essential thing is support, accompanied by a non-judgmental and compassionate attitude. It is no one's fault that they developed an addiction, and stigmatization, exclusion and isolation often only worsen the situation. Then, individuals can turn to the school psychologist for guidance, to psychologists in private practices with training in addictions or they can contact state centers specializing in addiction treatment (CPECA) within the National Anti-Drug Agency, where I worked for 7 years. There are also NGOs dealing with addiction issues, including the Preventis Association and the Christiana Association, as well as inpatient centers, such as Blue Cross or Teen Challenge Romania".

In Romania, the number of specialists and recovery centers to help addicts is low. There are a few in private practice.

Dr. Gabriella Bondoc, primary psychiatrist and psychotherapist: "Certainly, the diagnosis of substance use disorder must be made by a psychiatrist. For each of the substance use disorders, there are non-governmental organizations that have clinics or special services to help these patients, but unfortunately, there are far too few".

According to a national report on the drug situation in 2022, conducted by the National Anti-Drug Agency, 10.7% of those aged 15-64 have consumed at least one type of illicit drug over their lifetime (experimental consumption), while 6% of them have consumed in the last year (recent consumption).

Cannabis continues to be one of the most consumed drugs in Romania. Regionally, regardless of the type of drug consumed, the highest prevalence of drug use is recorded in the Bucharest/Ilfov region.

Regarding deaths caused by drug use, 30 deaths associated with drug use were recorded, of which 25 deaths were due to overdose.

In terms of alcohol consumption, it has decreased significantly in Romania in the last two decades, from 17.4 liters per capita in 2000 to 11.7 liters per capita in 2018, according to a report by the National Institute of Public Health.

Alcohol consumption reported to the population aged 15 and over (consumers and non-consumers of alcohol) was 10.3 liters per capita (in 2020) compared to 12.6 liters per capita (in 2016).

Dr. Gabriella Bondoc, primary psychiatrist and psychotherapist: "Alcohol is a Class I carcinogenic substance, which means that repeated alcohol use is associated with the appearance of a very large number of cancers, including colon cancer and pharyngeal zone cancer. The main cause of conditions is cardiovascular disorders, and people rarely know that exceeding the recommended amount of alcohol consumption increases blood pressure, the risk of heart attack and stroke. They very often do not understand why they have high blood pressure at a very young age".

According to the latest WHO Report (2018), in Romania, alcohol consumption reported to the population aged 15 and over (consumers and non-consumers of alcohol) was 12.6 liters per capita (in 2016). Alcohol consumption reported exclusively to the drinking population was 26.6 liters for men and 9 liters for women.

The 2017 Eurobarometer places Romania 9th in the European Union, alongside Cyprus, Austria, Slovenia and Spain regarding tobacco consumption. The European report shows that the percentage of young people who take up smoking, those in the 15 - 24 age group, increased from 25%, as it was in 2014, to 29% in 2017.

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Study (GATS) 2018, in Romania, in 2018, 30.7% (5.63 million) of adults aged at least 15 years (40.4% men and 21.7% women) were current (daily or less than daily) users of tobacco in any form. Overall, 30.2% (5.6 million, 39.2% men and 21.5% women) of adults currently smoked tobacco.

The average age of initiation of tobacco consumption, among people aged 20-34 who were or are current daily smokers, was 17.9 years (17.7 years among men and 18.3 years among women).

In case of emergency, call the Toll-Free number for people with drug problems! The Toll-Free number of the National Anti-Drug Agency is 0.800.8.700.700. Calls to Toll-Free numbers are not charged. 

People facing drug addiction can also contact state centers specializing in addiction treatment (CPECA) within the National Anti-Drug Agency.

Anyone interested in quitting smoking can call the Toll-Free number 0800.878.673 to get in touch with a specialist and receive more details.