Legal Definitions - drug addict

A drug addict refers to an individual who has developed a severe dependence on a psychoactive substance, characterized by a compulsive need to use the drug despite harmful consequences. This dependence can be physiological (the body physically needs the drug to function normally) or psychological (an intense craving for the drug's effects), leading to significant impairment in daily life, health, and social functioning.

Here are some examples illustrating this term:

• Example 1: A person is repeatedly arrested for petty theft, admitting that they steal items to sell in order to purchase heroin. Despite multiple arrests and court appearances, they continue this pattern of behavior.

  Explanation: This individual demonstrates a compulsive need for the drug (heroin) that overrides legal consequences and personal safety, leading to criminal activity. Their actions are driven by the severe dependence on the substance, illustrating the legal concept of a drug addict.

• Example 2: During a child custody dispute, one parent's extensive medical records and witness testimonies reveal a long history of methamphetamine abuse that has rendered them unable to maintain stable employment or provide consistent care for their children.

  Explanation: Here, the parent's severe dependence on methamphetamine has led to significant impairment in their ability to fulfill parental responsibilities and maintain a stable life. This inability to function effectively due to drug use aligns with the definition of a drug addict in a family law context.

• Example 3: An employee is found to be frequently absent from work, experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using prescription painkillers, and has exhausted their savings on obtaining more pills. They are seeking legal protection under disability laws to enter a rehabilitation program.

  Explanation: This scenario illustrates a physiological and psychological dependence on a drug (prescription painkillers) that is causing significant impairment in the individual's professional life and financial stability. Their need for rehabilitation underscores the severe, compulsive nature of their drug use, consistent with being a drug addict.