The Types of Addictions
Addiction is something that can negatively affect a person’s life. This complex disease can have many forms, which is why every patient may require a different treatment. It’s important that you figure out your addiction so that you may receive the right help.
What Does Addiction Look Like?
When someone develops an addiction, the brain begins to crave the euphoric sensation of the substance or activity. This happens because the reward system of the brain is stimulated. As a result, people continue to use that substance or engage in the activity in order to experience the euphoric feeling once more.
Unlike the normal, pleasurable activities of life, drug addiction has more negative effects. In most circumstances, addiction disrupts the regular lifestyle of a person. As they are obsessively involved with the activity, individuals lose control over their lives and find themselves unable to quit the behavior.
Signs of Addiction
Not every addiction looks the same. However, there are certain addiction signs that are common in most addicts. Here are some signs that will tell whether you or your loved ones are struggling with an addiction:
Inability to Quit
In most cases, a telltale sign of an addiction is the inability to stop. With substance addiction, for example, addicts might make serious attempts to quit – and eventually end up relaxing. For some, the cause may be psychological, whereas others may not be able to handle the withdrawal. Regardless, their inability to quit expresses that there is an addiction going on.
Health Decline
In most cases, particularly when it comes to substance abuse, addiction might lead to health decline and other body-altering side effects. For instance, a drug addict may suddenly go through appetite suppression and weight loss, whereas a smoker might develop lung problems and unexplained unhealthy complexion from their nicotine dependence.
Paraphernalia
Sometimes, an addiction may be useful if you look around a person’s room. If someone is suffering from an addiction, it may be common to find items such as empty cigarette packs, pipes, syringes, rolled-up banknotes, and many more. Not every substance may require tools to use it, but you may still come across miscellaneous items that suggest an addiction.
Trouble with Managing Responsibilities
A person who is struggling with their addiction might have trouble dealing with their responsibilities. This may be either because they are dealing with current symptoms of the addiction, or because they are suffering from withdrawal or cravings. Needless to say, their inability to do their job properly can point out to abuse.
Irritability and Relationship Issues
A person who has an addiction may be particularly irritable. They may be irritable when someone tries to take the substance from them, or they may go through withdrawal irritability. These behavior changes and mood swings can cause relationship problems in the long term, whether it involves a romantic relationship or a friendship.
Increased Tolerance and Higher Doses
If a person abuses a certain substance over a prolonged period, they develop a higher tolerance to it. The amount they use or the amount of time they spent on it no longer has the same effect. As a result, they end up taking higher doses than they used to. For example, a smoker that used to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day may end up smoking two or three packs a day.
Physical Addiction
Physical addiction, also referred to as chemical addiction, is your physical response to a certain drug or substance. Physical addiction occurs when the body gets used to a particular substance, and the body’s reward system continues to crave the substance. Physical addiction involves substances such as alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, and other addictive substances.
Physical addiction involves a series of physical symptoms once the body is exposed to the substance, such as the euphoria or the relaxed feeling that follows (all depending on the substance). Physical addictions will also lead to withdrawal symptoms when the substance is leaving the system, such as headaches, nausea, irritability, jitters, and many more.
Behavioral Addiction
Behavioral addiction and physical addiction have very often been linked, as they go hand in hand. This addiction revolves around persistent compulsive behaviors. These behaviors are continuously carried out, even if they don’t bring any actual benefit. A person with a behavioral addiction may have more difficulties in “kicking back the habit” than getting rid of the physical symptoms.
A person with nicotine addiction, for example, might no longer feel the effects of nicotine in their body. However, the habit of taking out a pack in social circumstances might still linger. This is particularly true for smokers who have been “feeding” the habit for years and now do it out of reflex.
Behavioral addictions may include multiple other activities that form an obsessive pattern. Here, you may include gambling addictions, Internet addictions, video game addictions, shopping addictions, exercise addictions, or even porn addictions.
These activities are not that harmful when done in moderation. However, when the person cannot seem to stop or it is affecting their personal and social lifestyle, then it can be considered an addiction.
Is Addiction Curable?
There is a possibility to get clean and stay clean for the rest of your life – but in a true sense, addiction is not truly curable. It is, however, manageable. By undergoing treatment, addicts may get the substance out of their system – and by following a specific lifestyle, they may steer clear of the temptation.
For instance, a nicotine addict who quit smoking for several years may still occasionally feel the urge to take a puff from a cigarette when they feel a whiff. However, they use their willpower to overcome that urge. They will also learn to avoid circumstances that might be considered potential triggers.
Certain individuals may say that their addiction has been “cured” after years of being sober. There is, indeed, that possibility. However, it may take a long time for that to happen. Still, it can be controlled, as long as the individual has strong willpower so that they do not relapse.
Real Deal Therapy
Addictions are a problem, but they can also be addressed. It is important that you get the right help and support to deal with any type of addiction. Real Deal offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation therapy for anyone in need.
The first step towards quitting an addiction is to ask for help. Contact Real Deal and receive your support in kicking back your addiction.