A life free of addiction 2022

A Life Free of Addiction

Certain behaviours can trigger the brain’s reward system and become addictive. The negative effects of a behavioural addiction can be like those related to a substance use disorder.

According to Science Direct, behavioural addictions are defined as, “an intense desire to repeat some action that is pleasurable or perceived to improve wellbeing or capable of alleviating some personal distress.”

What classifies behaviours as addictive is the difficulty those affected have with stopping or reducing their participation in it. Some motivating factors for behavioural addictions include the perception of temporary decreased depression and anxiety.

Behavioural addictions such as gambling, overeating, television compulsion, and internet addiction are like drug addiction, except that the individual is not addicted to a substance.

Others have stated that behaviourally addicted individuals have certain symptoms and will undergo the same consequences brought about by addiction to alcohol and drugs as well as other obsessive behaviours.

Why Behavioural Addictions are serious:

·         The inability to stop or control behaviour

·         Feeling shame or embarrassment after doing the activity

·         The inability to stop addictive behaviours despite knowing how they impact the body and mind

·         Experiencing problems in being able to think clearly

·         Memory loss, and paying attention

·         People may develop poor social behaviour because of their addictions

·         Work performance and personal relationships might suffer

Diagnosing an Addiction

·         An individual who repeatedly and unsuccessfully attempts to quit their addictive behaviour may be struggling with addiction

·         An individual turning to addictive behaviour after expressing feelings of stress or depression can be an indicator of addiction

·         If a person has indicated that they do not enjoy using their addictive behaviour of choice anymore, but continues to do so anyway, it’s likely that they’re struggling to quit

·         Someone struggling with addiction will repeatedly show that they are unable to limit their use to a reasonable level

·         A person with an addiction is going to prioritise satisfying their addiction over everything else

·         The addictive behaviour is continuing over a longer time than the person originally intended

·         Spending extended periods trying to get hold of a substance

Warning Signs of Addiction

Addiction begins with experimentation with a behaviour or substance. There are many reasons why someone might initially try an addictive behaviour/substance.

Substances or behaviours that can trigger Addiction:

·         Coffee or caffeine

·         It does not take much alcohol to reach a harmful level of drinking

·         Nicotine is the single most abused substance in the world

·         In today’s culture, we now have “designer drugs”

·         Anabolic Steroids

·         Gambling can become extremely addictive

·         Comfort food eating can become addictive

Substance or Behavioural Addiction is a complex disease that has serious, harmful effects on a person’s health and their social relationships. How does a person become addicted? The answer is not so simple – no single factor determines whether a person will become addicted or not.

What causes Addiction?

Regardless of your upbringing or moral code, many factors can raise your risk of becoming addicted.

What is the best therapy for Behavioral Addictions?

With several options available, you can find an addiction treatment option that best fits your individual needs. Addiction treatment is not a one-size-fits-all. Treatments may vary based on your needs.

·         It is important to consider therapy if you wish to stay away from whatever you are addicted to. It may take more than one method of support to kick the habit.

·         You can visit your primary care doctor for an evaluation. The type of treatment a doctor recommends depends on the severity and stage of the addiction. A doctor may recommend medication, therapy, or a rehabilitation centre, depending on the severity and type of addiction you are struggling with.

Behavioral Addiction in a nutshell

A behavioural addiction is a psychological compulsion to take part in repeated behaviour regardless of any negative consequences to one’s well-being. It is typically recognised to be a disorder of the brain’s reward system.

Some of the most common Behavioral Addictions include:

·         Gambling – When you gamble, your brain releases dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter that makes you feel excited. You would expect to only feel excited when you win, but your body produces this neurological response even when you lose.

·         Internet – In the past few years internet addiction (IA) and internet gaming disorder (IGD) have become frequent, leading to many personality and psychiatric disorders including low self-esteem, impulsivity, poor sleep quality, mood disorders and suicide.

·         Video Games – Gaming addiction is a compulsive mental health disorder that can cause severe damage to one’s life. It is common for a video game addict to spend over 10 hours a day gaming, usually well into the night, and many suffer from sleep deprivation.

·         Shopping – Oniomania (compulsive shopping, or what is more commonly referred to as shopping addiction, is perhaps the most socially acceptable addiction. As with other addictions, shopping addiction is usually a way of coping with emotional pain.

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