Understanding Addiction

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Addiction is commonly seen as a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug, or substance, despite experiencing psychological, physical or personal harm such as family and relationship discord or occupational issues.

Some addictions also involve an inability to stop partaking in an activity, such as gambling, eating, or working. In these circumstances, a person experiences a Behavioural Addiction.

People with a substance abuse disorder have been found to have faulty thought patterns & coping mechanisms which magnify their problems. Brain imaging studies show changes in the areas of the brain that relate to judgment, decision making, learning, memory, and behavior control.

Primarily the reward circuit in our brain gets hijacked due to excessive dopamine release caused by addiction. Then, the person finds it difficult to feel pleasure from other things that earlier got them all happy and excited.

This signifies that although addiction has been seen as mere abnormal behavior, it is essentially a brain disease, wherein, the choice of exposure to the substance lies with the individual, but the continuous use of the substance is often beyond their control. So to say, most people start using a drug or first engage in an activity voluntarily, mostly for recreational purposes. But once addiction has set in, self-control or will power is not enough to handle the behavior as it is no longer voluntary.

To recognize if someone has Addiction or not, these signs can be helpful;

Warning signs:

  1. Seeking the substance of addiction despite harm to self and others.
  2. Engaging in dangerous activities to procure the substance of addiction.
  3. Ignoring duties, important tasks, and prioritizing the object of addiction over it.
  4. Relationship issues, blaming, lashing out on people who identify the dependence.
  5. Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
  6. Spending more time alone or with new people with similar addiction patterns.
  7. Changes in personality like becoming withdrawn.
  8. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms in the absence of the substance: characterized by anxiety, irritability, tremors, aches and pains, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea vomiting, etc.
  9. Not getting ‘high’ with the same amount of substance or requiring more quantity with time to get the same effect.

Steps to Recovery:

  1. Recognizing and accepting that there is a problem.
  2. Sharing it with someone you can trust and confide in.
  3. Seeking help and finding suitable options.

On your own, start with identifying the patterns of your addiction.

Introspect and ask yourself;

  • What are your triggers?
  • When do you most feel like using the substance?
  • What provokes you?

Note that your trigger point can be some person, a situation, or even environmental factors. Begin by calmly accepting your addiction and then take baby steps to make one change at a time. For instance, you may avoid friends you normally use the substance with, or you can avoid going to a bar or parties where there is access to the substance.

Remember that it’s okay to ask for help.

Treatment:

Early intervention goes a long way, so it’s always better to start the treatment as early as possible. Treatment depends on the type and severity of Addiction.

Some of the ways Addiction can be treated are as follows;

Treatment Modalities:

  • Behavioral therapy and counselling
  • Medication
  • Detoxification to manage withdrawal
  • Treating underlying mental health concerns, such as depression and anxiety amidst others, where a substance is used as a way of coping.
  • Relapse prevention by treating all symptoms and causal factors.
  • Adjunct Family Therapy sessions – In cases where family dynamics trigger substance abuse.

Addiction treatment is subjective and tailor-made for each individual to suit their personal needs. Due to the intensive nature of the treatment, it often requires the support of the individual’s community and family members. Treatment can take a long time and maybe complicated, but only way to get through is by starting, sooner the better.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Riyanka
Riyanka
4 years ago

This article is very informative and precise.Its very useful for people with addiction.Looking forward for such more articles from Dr.Ruhi Satija.

Shrey Satija
Shrey Satija
4 years ago

Really Great knowledge in understanding the psychology of an individual and ourself.
# Making people mentally Healthy.
# Addiction Free India.
# Excellent Article.
Keep it Up Doc.

Last edited 4 years ago by Shrey Satija
Shabnam Rajendran
Shabnam Rajendran
4 years ago

Dr. Ruhi, very well written so as to bring awareness on addiction and effective methods to come out of it. Looking forward to more articles.
#Mindfully live to enjoy Life with your consciousness fully awake!!!