Access Ohio offers treatment and counseling services directly and with support from other Central Ohio agencies and groups to help persons with addictions, as well as their families, friends and employers.

Physical addiction is when a person's body actually becomes dependent on a particular substance or action. It also means building tolerance so that a person needs a larger dose than before to get the same effects. Someone who is physically addicted and stops using a substance like drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes may experience withdrawal symptoms. Common symptoms of withdrawal are diarrhea, shaking, and generally feeling awful.

Psychological addiction happens when the cravings for a substance or behavior are emotional. People who are psychologically addicted feel overcome by the desire. They may lie or steal to get the object of their addiction.

Chemical Dependency
Addictions to a chemical substance such as alcohol, nicotine, illegal drugs, etc.

Gambling Addiction
For most of the gambling industry's patrons, gambling is fun and a form of harmless entertainment. For the four to six percent of gamblers who become problem or pathological (compulsive) gamblers, however, it can be a devastating illness that negatively affects every aspect of their lives.

Compulsive Shopping
Compulsive shopping and spending is described as a pattern of chronic, repetitive purchasing that becomes difficult to stop and ultimately results in harmful consequences. It is defined as an impulse control disorder and has features similar to other addictive disorders without involving use of an intoxicating drug.

Chronic Pain with Addiction
Chronic pain generally persists for six months or more, and continues after the expected cessation of the pain. It tends to elicit severe depression as a result of long-term limitations and hopelessness. Overall, experts agree on the importance of acknowledging pain as a subjective experience which is very real to the patient and should be understood and accepted as real by treating professionals.