Understanding and Dealing with Addiction 2023

This June we are dealing with the difficult topic of Addiction. It is important not only to understand the signs and symptoms of Addiction but also the deep struggle people go through in the process and the difficult task of admitting and recovering from substance dependency.

What Is Addiction?

A person with an addiction uses a substance or engages in a behaviour, for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeat the activity, despite detrimental consequences. Addiction may involve the misuse of substances such as alcohol, drugs, medication and nicotine, or gambling, overeating, and technology addiction. There is evidence that addictive behaviours share key neurobiological features: They intensely involve brain pathways of reward and reinforcement, which involve the neurotransmitter dopamine. And, in keeping with other highly motivated states, they lead to the pruning of synapses in the prefrontal cortex, home of the brain's highest functions, so that attention is highly focused on cues related to the target substance or activity. It is important to know that such brain changes are reversible after the substance use or behaviours are discontinued.

Both substance use disorders and addictive behaviours (such as gambling, overeating, and technology addiction) have an increased likelihood of being accompanied by mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, or other pre-existing problems. Substance use and addictive behaviours not only engage the same brain mechanisms, but they also respond to many of the same treatment approaches. Substance use disorders and addictive behaviours are complex conditions that affect the reward, reinforcement, motivation, and memory systems of the brain. They are characterized by impaired control over usage, social impairment, involving the disruption of everyday activities, relationships and cravings. Continuing is typically harmful to relationships as well as to obligations at work or school.

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What is technology addiction?

Technology addiction refers to the uncontrollable urge or impulse to continue using technology to the point that it starts to interfere with the individual’s mental, physical, and social life. This can be in form the of social media, internet surfing, video games, online gambling, and other related behaviour. It is also called internet addiction, internet use disorder (IUD), and internet addiction disorder (IAD).

Types of Technological Addiction:

The misuse of technology can lead to dependency, and it can assume a nurturing role for other behavioural addictions outside the internet. This includes:

· Video or computer games

· Social media addiction (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tik tok etc.)

· Smartphone dependency

· Internet dependency

· Computer addiction

· Compulsive internet use

· Online gambling

· Online shopping

· Virtual sex addiction

· Pornography

· Texting

· Online auctions

· Online betting

What is substance dependency?

Substance dependence occurs when a person is physically dependent on a substance such as alcohol, nicotine, drugs, or medication, to the extent that their body adapts to it and develops a tolerance to it, resulting in withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it. It is a complex condition that affects the person’s brain, body, and behaviours. Learn more

Commonly used Addictive Substances

· Depressants, which reduce anxiety and cause drowsiness. Depressants include alcohol as well as certain types of medications such as benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, and Ativan), barbiturates, chloral hydrate, and paraldehyde.

· Stimulants, which stimulate the brain and nervous system. Stimulants include drugs like cocaine and amphetamines. Amphetamines are also used in certain stimulant medications, like Ritalin, that help treat conditions like ADHD.

· Hallucinogens, which cause people to hear or see things that don’t exist. Hallucinogens include drugs such as LSD, psilocybin (commonly known as mushrooms), mescaline, and phencyclidine (known as PCP or angel dust).

· Opiates and narcotics, are strong painkillers that reduce pain, induce drowsiness, and produce feelings of well-being, happiness, and excitement. Opiates include drugs like heroin and opium, as well as pain-relieving medications, such as Vicodin and morphine.

· Marijuana, which produces a sense of happiness, calm, and relaxation.

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Understanding Addiction for Teens

These are some of the symptoms and behaviours associated with substance dependency:

· Needing the substance daily

· Developing a tolerance to the substance and needing to take more of it over time to achieve the same effect

· Losing control over the use of the substance and being unable to stop

· Experiencing withdrawal symptoms upon stopping one’s use of the substance.

· Spending a lot of time procuring, using, and recovering from the aftereffects of the substance

· Using the substance in risky settings

· Missing school or work or performing poorly

· Avoiding recreational and social activities due to substance use

· Continuing to use the substance despite negative consequences to one’s family, work, and health

· Making excuses to use the substance

· Using the substance when alone

· Resorting to secretive behaviours to hide one’s use of the substance

· Becoming hostile when confronted with one’s substance dependence

· Neglecting to eat and maintaining personal hygiene

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5 Immediate Steps to make life changes.

We need to remember we cannot force people to change their lives. It is a decision that must come from them. The road ahead will be hard, and relapses can happen. Seek medical and psychological assistance when undertaking this journey. But remember this, you hold the ability to make choices that are good for you, and your future. Learn more

Change like this is so difficult, it is useful to have a guide when attempting to kick an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or toxic behaviour. Research shows that the following steps can help you move toward your recovery goals. You have the greatest chance of success if you adopt all five steps.

The 5 steps are:

1. Set a quit date.

2. Change your environment. Remove any reminders of your addiction from your home and workplace.

3. Distract yourself. Instead of giving in to the urge, come up with alternative activities, such as going for a walk or calling a friend or family member to talk, so that you keep busy until the urge passes. Be prepared to deal with things that trigger your cravings, such as being in an environment where others are using. It might be long-term friends, and cutting them from your life will hurt, but at the end of the day, if they affect your future, the bright future you deserve, then they aren’t real friends. Real friends stand by you and help you succeed in life. They don’t hold you back.

4. Review your past attempts at quitting. Think about what worked and what did not. Consider what might have contributed to relapse and make changes accordingly.

5. Create a support network. Talk to your family and friends and ask for their encouragement and support. Let them know you are quitting. Cut full contact with the providers of the substance. Also, you might want to consider talking to your healthcare provider about the method of quitting that is best for you. There may be medications that can ease the process for you and increase your chances of success.

For more information on finding an effective path to recovery, check out Overcoming Addiction, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.

Where to find help

Always contact Professionals/Organizations who specialize in the treatment of substance dependency, addiction and addictive behaviours. Early detection increases the success of treatment. If you are concerned about your own behaviour or that of a loved one? Talk to us.