Drug addiction is a disease. By looking at the symptoms of the disease, we can make a diagnosis of the disease. A person is addicted when the use of alcohol, drugs and other mood altering behaviours like gambling, sex, work, etc. causes major problems in ones life. Family, jobs, marriages, school and social lives are affected in a negative way. Other people in an addicts life are affected; conflict is inevitable. While many people in active addiction are dishonest, deceptive and use diversionary tactics, they are part and parcel of addiction; they need to keep the extent of their problem hidden.