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Treatments
What Is addiction?
Signs of addiction
Addiction risk factors
Causes of addiction
How is addiction diagnosed?
Treatments for addiction
Addiction complications
Latest addiction research
What Is addiction?
People with an addiction do not have control over what they are doing, taking or using.
Their addiction may reach a point at which it is harmful.
Addictions do not only include physical things we consume, such as drugs or alcohol,
but may include virtually anything, such abstract things as gambling to seemingly
harmless products, such as chocolate - in other words, addiction may refer to
a substance dependence (e.g. drug addiction) or behavioral addiction (e.g. gambling
addiction).
This article focuses mainly on addiction to physical substances.
In the past, addiction used to refer just to psychoactive substances that cross the bloodbrain barrier, temporarily altering the chemical balance of the brain; this would include
alcohol, tobacco and some drugs. A considerable number of psychologists, other health
care professionals and lay people now insist that psychological dependency, as may be
the case with gambling, sex, internet, work, exercise, etc. should also be counted as
addictions, because they can also lead to feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness,
despair, failure, rejection, anxiety and/or humiliation.
When a person is addicted to something they cannot control how they use it, and
become dependent on it to cope with daily life.
According to the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSMIV), published by the American Psychiatric Association:
Substance dependence is When an individual persists in use of alcohol or other drugs
despite problems related to use of the substance, substance dependence may be
diagnosed. Compulsive and repetitive use may result in tolerance to the effect of the
drug and withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped. This, along with
Substance Abuse are considered Substance Use Disorders..
getting more and more prevalent in America, its now common for people to dig deeper
and look for the reasons why people use drugs and alcohol. This is not meant to be a
complete list, nor is is meant to be medical advise, but I feel this article can shed some
light for addicts or family members of addicts dealing with this burning question
experienced in the past. Although many things in life are now easier than ever, the
burdens are also very high. Simply having a family, maintaining a household, and
holding a job are huge stress factors. Some drugs are viewed as a means of relaxation
a way to calm the storm in your mind. Although drugs can be very effective at doing
that, there can be serious side effects.
5. People figure if a drug is prescribed by a doctor, it must be ok.
It is easy for an individual to rationalize using a drug because it came from a doctor. The
thinking goes like this it was prescribed to someone I know for the same problem I am
having, so it makes sense it should work for me too. The dangerous part about this
rationalization is that this can lead to mixing of drugs, overdose, unintended side effects
and/or dependency.
6. People get physically injured and unintentionally get hooked on prescribed
drugs.
The people at risk for this are physical laborers, elderly, and anyone with pre-existing
injuries. Some people are born with chronic pain due to deformities others get injured.
Doctors then prescribe drugs for what they are intended for and a person can quickly
build a dependency. Especially if that drug is making them feel all better, they rationalize
that it must be ok to keep taking the drug, which can result in dependency.
7. People use drugs to cover painful memories in their past.
Many people go through extremely traumatic events in their life, many times as children,
and turn to drugs to cover the horrible memories. Children are extremely susceptible to
trauma, whether physically or emotionally, and those feelings can haunt them into their
adulthood. These people could benefit from working with psychologists to help repair
their damaged mind. Drugs usually only deepen the issue.
8. People think drugs will help them fit in.
When hanging out with friends, its easy for people to want to fit in and seem like one of
the crew. If others are drinking or doing drugs, its very likely for someone to fall into that
trap. Peer pressure can be a tremendous force causing someone to try things they
would normally not try on their own.
9. People chase the high they once experienced.
Ask anyone who has tried drugs and they will tell you that it is one of the best feelings of
their life. The highs from drugs are so much more extreme than regular everyday joys
because most drugs overload the pleasure sensors in your brain. Once a person feels
this extreme pleasure, its common for that person to become hooked on a drug simply
chasing the initial high they once felt. As we all know, this is a viscous cycle that is
extremely difficult to break. The highs are equally as powerful as the lows felt when
coming off of the drugs.