What is Addiction?


Addiction is a complex brain condition. In which person is manifested by harmful substances & activities, whose consequences will be harmful. Addiction is a chronic disease. People with addiction have an intense focus on a particular substance or activity such as addiction to alcohol, drug addiction, smoking, Heroin, Anti Depression, sex, and masturbation to the point that it takes over their life. They keep using alcohol, drug to the point even after they know it takes over their life. Yet a number of effective and efficient treatments are available, through which people can recover from addiction and live a normal life.


Someone experiencing an addiction will:

  • Will be unable to stay away from the substance.
  • Feel lost of self-control.
  • Have an increased desire for substance and activities.
  • Lack of emotional response.
Overtime addiction like drugs and alcohol may cause serious interference with your life. People with addiction are also prone to the cycle of relapse and remission. These cycles cause serious brain damage in the long term. They can lead to permanent health complications and serious damage like bankruptcy.


Type of addiction?

According to WHO 1 out of 3 people in the world have an addiction of some kind. Addiction can exist in any form of substance or behavior. The most dangerous and addictive addiction is alcohol and drugs in America. Nearly 1 in 10 Americans are addicted to both alcohol and drugs which causes mental illness and mental disorder.

The most common & Dangerous addiction are:-

  • Cocaine.
  • THC in Marijuana.
  • Nicotine in Tobacco.
  • Opioid or pain relievers.
  • Masturbation.
  • Sex.

Substance and behaviors that can trigger addiction:

In Research 2014, Addiction.com publish the list of top 10 addiction besides alcohol, drugs, nicotine, other common addiction includes:-
  • Coffee or caffeine.
  • Gambling.
  • Anger, as a coping strategy.
  • Food.
  • Technology.
  • Sex.
  • Work.

Technology, sex, work are not recognized as an addiction by the American Psychiatric Association. Some habits or social behaviors look like an addiction. But In the case of addiction, a person reacts negatively when they don’t get “rewards”. For example, someone addicted to coffee can experience physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and irritability.


What are the signs of addiction?


Most signs of addiction come from family members, impaired ability to maintain self-control. This includes the changes that are:
  • Social,  such as some situation or person who encourages addictive behavior.
  • Behavior such as an increase in secrecy.
  • Health relation such as insomnia or memory loss.
  • Related to personality.
Someone with addiction won’t stop even after recognizing the addiction problem. Which may cause more addiction issues like substance or behavior problems.

Some behavior and emotional changes associated with addiction include:

  • Unrealistic and poor assessment of the pros and cons of substance which are using.
  • Blaming other factors or people for their problem.
  • Increase in the level of anxiety, depression Stress.
  • Trouble in telling the behavioral addiction and emotional sadness.


What causes addiction?

Addictive substance and activity can create a pleasurable “High” which can be physical and psychological impact. After that the one will consume or engage more in that activity, to feel more or that kind of “high” & “Pleasure” again & again.


The Brain

Some people try something new or engage in some new activity, but never approach it again. But some get addicted to that activity. It all depends on the frontal lobes. The frontal lobes allow a person to delay the feelings of reward or gratification. In addition, frontal lobes will malfunction.

Early Exposer

Research believes that early exposer to any addictive substance or activity plays a significant role. Genetics also increases the likelihood of addiction by 50 percent. According to the American society of addiction medicine. But just like addiction runs in the family doesn’t mean a person will develop the addiction.

Environment and culture also play a significant role, that how a person will respond to the substance or behavior. A lack of disruption in a personal social support system can lead to addiction, substance use disorder, and alcohol abuse.



What are the Stages?

Addiction will often play in different-different stages. Your brain and body both act in different ways in the initial and last stages of addiction.

Stages are:
  • Experimentation: use or engage out in curiosity.
  • Social & Regular: use or engage out the social situations.
  • Problem or Risk: uses or engage out in an extreme way.
  • Dependency: use or engage in behavior on a daily basis.


What are the consequences?

The Addiction which is left untreated can lead to long-term consequences. These Consequences are:
  • Physical such as heart disease, HIV/AIDS.
  • Psychological and Emotional, such as anxiety, stress, and depression.
  • Social such as jail and damaged Relationship.
  • Economics such as bankruptcy and debt.

How do you treat addiction?

All types of addiction are treatable. The best plan to treat are comprehensive and often affect many parts of life.
Most common therapies include:
  • The medication of mental disorders such as depression, stress.
  • Psychological therapies such as including behavior, talk.
  • Addiction case manager to help coordinate and check ongoing treatment.
  • Inpatient addiction treatment.
  • self-help and support groups.
  • Ongoing care to reduce the case of relapse.