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Addiction is going to be a chronic condition that will involve the compulsion to seek out and take a substance or doing an activity, even when there are negative and harmful consequences to the individual who does them. Remember that this is harmful.
When you are going to the gym each day, it is not considered an addiction, because you are doing something good for you. But when you drink alcohol excessively or take illegal substances, this is bad for the mind and body and is classified as an addiction.
An addiction is going to have a significant impact on your relationships, your health, and the overall quality of your life, especially if it is not properly handled and allowed to continue for many years to come. In many cases, addiction is considered a disease because it happens, not from a lack of willpower, but because the substance or activity that you participate in is going to change the chemistry of your brain, making it hard to stop.
What are the Types of Addiction?
Most addictions can be divided into two main categories. These include our substance addictions and our non-substance addictions. We can look at both of these.
Substance Addictions
With a substance addiction, we are talking about any type of substance that you will take to help you feel a certain way and is hard to stop. Alcohol and drugs are often the most common forms of these, though things like nicotine, medications, and caffeine can fit in here as well. Some will form an addiction from the first time you decide to take it, while others can become more addictive as time goes on. For example, many people with alcohol addiction will start by going out on the weekends and having fun, and slowly it will form into a habit or addiction that they do each night.
The addictive substances are going to be very different from one another (caffeine and hallucinogens for example), but all of them are going to have a strong reaction to the reward center of the brain, giving you feelings of pleasure when you consume them. Use can lead to substance use disorders, though this won’t happen all the time. Addiction is considered the most severe form of a substance abuse disorder.
Non-Substance Addictions
It is also possible to develop a non-substance addiction as well. These are usually more associated with an activity, but they will still activate the pleasure center of the brain and can make the individual feel good when they experience it. Some of these are normal activities that took on an almost obsessive type of behavior with them, which is why these are often more difficult to diagnose. For example, how can you tell the difference between normal shopping and addictive shopping? Where do you draw the line?
Some of the non-substance addictions to consider include:
- Use the phone or computer to be online obsessively
- Video gaming or internet gaming disorder
- Viewing pornography
- Having sex
- Shoplifting or other similar risky behaviors due to the rush
- Shopping
- Exercising or dieting to an obsession. This is more than eating healthy and going to the gym a few times a week. It is not eating and being at the gym for hours each day.
- Eating. This is how a lot of eating disorders can happen
- Gambling
Alcohol use disorder is considered the most common substance addiction in the United States, with nicotine falling right behind. The problem is often due to the fact that many people see these as socially acceptable behaviors, so it is hard to see when the use goes beyond that point and becomes an addiction.
What are the Signs of an Addiction?
There are several symptoms of addiction that can present themselves, though each individual is different. This can make it more difficult to figure out what is going on and how to handle the problem. Some of the signs include:
- Difficulty with stopping: They may say that they can stop the behavior, but often it is so much a part of them that it is hard to stop. If someone has tried to reduce or stop the use of the behavior or the substance, but they can’t, then this is a sign of an addiction.
- Increased tolerance: The individual needs more and more of the behavior or the substance in order to feel good.
- Intense focus on the activity or substance: This is the only thing that they can think about during the day. It can affect their relationships and even work.
- Lack of control: The individual will feel like they have no control over the activity or the substance use and they will feel helpless. They can also deal with depression, guilt or being overwhelmed too.
- Personal problems and health issues: Addiction is going to slowly start to take over all aspects of the life of the individual who suffers from it. This can include their mental and physical health, career, and relationships. They may not be able to get much done and their addictions, though bad, are the only thing that feels good to them.
- Withdrawal: if the individual tries to stop the behavior or the substance, they will have physical withdrawal symptoms like vomiting, sweating, and shaking.
When you are looking for addiction treatment in Sherman Oaks, then trust our team to be here every step of the way. We know that fighting an addiction can be hard. Sometimes you will struggle and have hard days. Without a support team there to guide you and help, you may feel like all hope is lost and that you are on your own. That is where our team is here to help. We can work with you on your alcohol addiction treatment in Sherman Oaks, providing you with a comprehensive treatment plan that not only works, but will help you feel better in no time.
With a loving and caring community and the best help available, you can overcome your addiction and start to feel better. Contact us today to learn more and to get started.
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