Addiction

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Do you think you might have an addiction?

Traditionally addicts are described as people who have a dependency upon a substance to function normally and once that substance is denied you will experience withdrawal.

However, the word addiction is now used to describe a wider range of compulsive or controlling relationships with a certain activity that damages the individual’s health, mental state or their position within society.

A few examples of these are, gambling, food, sex, pornography, computers and the Internet, cleaning, work, exercise, cutting (self harm) and shopping.

Addiction is a complex problem not only for the individual concerned but also for their family and friends.

Addictions can cause physical and emotional health problems.  There is help available and you can start right now!

Addicts feel that they are unable to control their behaviour or unable to stop using a substance, such as heroin or alcohol.

One of the best examples of addiction and dependency is cigarette smoking. Anyone who has had this addiction will be able to recognise the compulsion to light up to feed their addiction at times when they know that it is not allowed or it is inappropriate.

Addictions and dependency exist in varying degrees of intensity.

How and when did it start?

Most addictions are developed over a period of time as none of us consciously set out to become addict.

A common time for addictions to develop is in adolescence as this is a time that we experience many changes within our body, mind and position in society.

If we do not have friends that can give us the support we need at this difficult time we may try to escape and find refuge within an addiction and the associated behaviours.

During adolescence we might be experimenting with substances as a way of asserting our independence and this experimental use develops into an addiction.

Difficulties in our lives can lead us to using substances or behaviours to give us relief or escapism and gradually an addiction can develop.

Some suffers of long term medical problems might experiment with other substances to give them respite from their physical and emotional symptoms such as pain or distress.

As adults, social and peer pressure can cause us to start experimenting with substances and the fact that alcohol and drugs are easily available can make it very easy.

Unresolved issues from childhood can increase the risk of developing addictions. These can range from, physical or sexual abuse, neglect, loss and unresolved grief.

Children that have not been taught problem solving skills and the appropriate use of boundaries to guide them through life are also more at risk.

People who have not developed a positive sense of self can develop an addiction in an attempt to fulfil their emptiness and feelings of worthlessness.  

Tackling these issues on your own can be very difficult if you need the help of howsme just ask.

Am I addicted?     YES!

Updated: 17th September 2009