When we hear the word addiction, words like drugs, heroin, alcohol, cigarettes, or painkillers come to our minds. But addiction does not necessarily mean an addiction to a substance. Addiction can also manifest as uncontrolled behaviors such as sex addiction, gambling addiction, web addiction or any other uncontrolled behavior that can take over aspects of an individual's life, and in the worst scenario cases these addictions can be sole focus of one's life.
Definition of addiction
Addiction is a chronic disorder that can sometimes occur with the repetitive use of substances or behaviors. And addiction is a complex illness that includes both physical and psychological symptoms, and affects not only the addict, but also his or her family and social environment. Addiction can occur due to a large number of factors, such as genetic heritage, social environment and biological or pharmacological behaviors.
Perhaps the most widely recognized addition is cigarette smoking. Anyone who has ever smoked will recognize the strong sense of compulsion that comes with the urge to light up, particularly in situations that trigger smoking, like a night out with old friends, or a relaxing cigarette after a good meal.
In short, we shouldn't view addiction in absolute terms: addiction exists in many different ways and in various intensities. There are only a few people wo use certain substance on regular basis, but do not become addicted after prolonged period. The same is often true with behaviors, which can range from gambling to shopping or using the internet.
Who can become addicted?
Anyone! Any individual can become addicted even if addiction does not run in their family. When a person becomes addicted, whether it be to alcohol or another drug, or a certain behavior, a person's brain function and chemicals actually change in certain ways. The person becomes thrilled and excited to use the substance or repeat the behavior again — and in that moment person cannot think about the consequences, like health problems, relationships or money.
The addict only thinks about “getting high”, this way or another.
Anyone can develop an addiction, to legal or illegal substances or behaviors. Researchers have grappled with the question who can become addicted for some time. There is still no definite answer and no one has discovered one single cause.
How does addiction start and develop?
People take drugs or repeat certain behaviors because they make them feel good: they have a certain effect on the body, and if there were no effect, it is likely that people wouldn't repeat the experience. Simply, those substances and behaviors change the way we feel: they relax us, make us feel more in control, let us escape and so on.
However, what can start as an experiment or a casual behavior can lead to a repeating behavior and then a compulsive behavior. With time, the brain's chemistry may start to adapt, demanding more and more.
Nevertheless, no one sets out to be become addicted. Addiction is what unfolds over time, as you slowly lose control.
Addiction symptoms
Typically addiction involves both psychological and physiological dependence, but not in all cases. Physiological dependence is the result of the way our bodies respond to the introduction of an addictive substance and it can be characterized by both tolerance and withdrawal.
It is possible for an individual to have an addiction problem, when he or she continues to abuse the substance or behavior even when addiction causes problems, which can be financial, problems at work, or problems in relationships
Another psychological symptom is feeling of guilt about an activity or use of a substance or desire to continue when friends or family recommend you stop, and irritation when confronted with these recommendations.
Physical addiction symptoms may include:
- higher tolerance to the certain substance, which means that more of the drug is needed that at the beginning to achieve the same effect.
- symptoms of withdrawal (sweaty palms, sickness, vomiting, insomnia, tremors...)
- signs of needle marks on lower arm, leg, or feet
- changes in appetite
- unexplained weight loss
- poor physical coordination
- sleeplessness
- laziness or hyperactivity
- blank stare, red eyes, dilated pupils
- pale face, puffiness of the face, dark circles under eyes
- finding the person in possession of drug paraphernalia
Addiction treatments
Addiction can be treated, but there is no magic pill that will make it go away. Addiction is a progressive, often remitting and relapsing, disease without a definite cure. Most people are not able to kick the addiction on the first attempt.
The first step in beating addiction is admitting that it exists. The second step is taking control into your own hands, away from addiction. Not letting the addiction to control you. The third and last step is control over the second step.
Almost every addiction treatment starts with withdrawal symptoms. The effects of withdrawal may vary, depending on the drug used and time and amount of abuse. Mild withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, headache, tension, irritability... While severe withdrawal symptoms include sickness, vomiting, high blood pressure, perceptual distortion, hallucinations ... Withdrawal symptoms are limited to physical effects and do not last long- the most severe withdrawal symptoms last up 7 days.
Early treatment of acute withdrawal often includes medical detoxification, which can include doses of anxiolytics or narcotics to reduce symptoms of withdrawal. Even an experimental drug, ibogaine, is also proposed to treat withdrawal and craving. In chronic opiate addiction (heroin addiction...), methadone is often offered as a form of opiate replacement therapy. However, it is a individual's choice to pursue an alternate course of action.
After facing physical symptoms, psychological symptoms come to surface, and most of the time they are the ones that are the hardest to face with. Because of the psychological factors involved, psychological treatment is highly recommended and almost always necessary when treating addiction. Psychological treatment focuses on eliminating the psychological dependence on the drug.
In conclusion, almost all forms of addiction, from alcohol, to cigarettes, drugs, gambling or pornographic addiction, are taboo themes. Breaking a drug addiction is difficult, but it is not impossible. Ask for help, do not be ashamed of your own mistakes. Only with the help of others you can beat your addiction!