Addiction comes in many forms. But while people may say that they are “addicted” to something, real addiction is a chronic dysfunction of the brain that involves reward, motivation and memory. Basically, if you crave a behavior or substance, particularly if you’re engaged in an obsessive pursuit of a certain reward and you have low regard for the consequences, you may be dealing with an addiction.
Unfortunately, those that battle addiction are typically unable to avoid their addictive behavior and will display a lack of self-control, even if their behavior is creating problems. When confronted, they may lack an emotional response or become overly defensive, or they may even lash out at family, friends in odd and erratic ways.
Over a long enough period of time, addictions can even interfere with daily life. Those suffering from addiction may relapse into bouts of intense use, and these cycles will likely worsen over time, regardless of whether they’re currently in a light period or if they’ve temporarily kicked the habit. For many, addiction services such as addiction counseling are needed to help them navigate the challenges of addiction.
In addition to health complications, addictions can also cause financial issues and a general lack of responsibility which may lead to problems at work and in their relationships with family and friends.
Types of Addiction Some estimates say that up to a third of all people worldwide suffer from an addiction of some kind. The most well-known addictions are to drugs and alcohol, and one in 10 Americans are addicted to both. Of those that are addicted to drugs, more than two-thirds are also addicted to or abuse alcohol.
Common drug addictions include nicotine (cigarettes), THC (cannabis), opioids (narcotics or pain relievers) and cocaine. Other substances or behaviors that can trigger addiction include coffee or caffeine, gambling, anger, food, technology (such as social media or video games), sex and work.
While some of these addictions are not recognized by the American Psychiatric Association, it’s not to say that people don’t feel addicted or engage in addictive-like behavior. Some habits may also look like an addiction when they’re not, but you can usually tell an addictive behavior from other types of behavior if it’s followed by anger or irritability if they’re unable to satisfy the desire for their reward.
The Stages of Addiction Often, addiction goes through familiar stages before addiction services are sought out. While there’s no one blueprint for addiction recovery, many people’s battle with addiction plays out in similar ways.
First, an addiction starts with experimentation. Then the behavior enters into social use, such as in social situations or for social reasons. Next, the user enters the problem or risk phase, which could be the start of abuse or a general disregard for consequences. Lastly, the user becomes dependent, engaging in the behavior daily or multiple times a day, even while negative consequences continue to mount.
Treating Addiction Thankfully, there are many types of addiction services available to those that are suffering from addiction. From addiction counseling to medications, inpatient treatments and self-help and support groups, addiction recovery is possible. That said, addiction can be troublesome to kick, and addiction suffers may need a multifaceted approach to help them get beyond their addiction.
Treatment is typically decided on a case-by-case basis, which may also take into account how long an addiction has been an issue, as well as the motivation of the patient themselves. After all, because addiction can be the result of some kind of coping mechanism, the true cause of an addiction can be hard to determine.
If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction, the experts at Quick Results Counseling can help. Call us today to schedule a free, 45-minute consultation call.