My therapist and I argue almost every session about whether my substance abuse issues are actually an addiction (she's trying to convince me that it is). I do get cravings, mostly when I'm emotionally down, and I do sometimes find it hard to limit my use. But I'm completely functional, and I can go a few weeks at a time without using at all. I do not experience any noticeable physical withdrawal, because as soon as I start experiencing tolerance I will switch substances for a few weeks. I use a few different kinds of drugs, and of course alcohol.

So when is it an addiction versus just abuse? How did you recognize and accept that you were dealing with an addiction?