Addiction

This isn't a new word to anyone, most of us are familiar with it. The term is mostly used to refer to something that is unhealthy and negative.

What qualifies as an addiction?

According to Wikipedia, addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse effects.

It can also be defined as a condition where a person finds themselves unable to stop using a substance or engaging in a particular behaviour.

Let it be noted that an addiction and a habit are two different things. Whereas a habit can be negative or positive, an addiction is considered to be strictly negative.

What are the types of addiction?

When it comes to addiction, people's minds first point to drugs, alcohol and the likes but that isn't the limit to it. Addictions can be categorized into two parts:- Chemical Addiction and Behavioural Addiction.

Chemical addiction

This is where the drugs and alcohol fall under. Here, a person is excessively drawn to the use of substances. It is the abusive use of any substance despite the harmful effects and negative consequences that might arise. Examples of such substances that are abused include cocaine, nicotine, cannabis, even regular drugs with over the counter prescriptions etc.

Behavioural addiction

This category refers to those persistent and repetitive behaviours that one carries out even if there's no gain from it. Those destructive compelling behaviours to an extent which causes adverse consequences to an individual's personal and social life as well as mental and physical health .People can be addicted to gambling, pornography, shopping, cellphones- yes, there are people that can't do without it, social media, a relationship that they feel they can't do without etc. It's unfortunate that people who suffer from this find it very difficult to stop engaging in such compulsive behaviours due to lack o awareness and education, without treatment and intervention.

Signs of addiction

• An intense craving for the substance that prevents you from focusing on other things.

• You feel discomfort or get uneasy if you can't access the substance you crave.

• You experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit.

• It's hard for you to quit as you find yourself keep going back to it.

• You need it to feel a certain type of way or affect your mood to make you feel better.

• It's beginning to affect how you feel about other activities you usually enjoy as you're no longer interested in them.

• It's beginning to affect your relationships as you tend to put off or reduce social, recreational or household activities as a result.

• You may not have control of your usage and you feel regret or remorseful afterwards.

How do addictions come about?

Addictions arise when an individual forms or fall victim to a repetitive use of substance or behaviour in order to satisfy a self imposed craving but which ultimately has negative effects or outcomes to the individual involved.

What causes addiction?

A few causes of addiction include:

• Some addictions come as a result of genetic factors, probably a family member or a close relative was an addict.

• Poor coping skills when it comes to handling stress, so you turn to these addictions to help you get by.

• Some addictions came as a result of trauma, underlying anxiety or depression.

• It can also come as a result of influence from friends and the environment.

• Negative thoughts that could push one to channel it into use of substance for example as a way of healing.

Consequences of addiction

It's no surprise that people only stop when they've suffered enough from the negative consequences. When they've suffered enough pain and regret that they don't want to go down that road anymore. On one hand, addiction feels so good that you might not want to stop, on the other hand, it also has its negative consequences.

• It could damage your relationships as such behaviours could put a strain on relationships with loved ones as well as affect self esteem as you might feel disappointed in yourself.

• Health wise when it comes to substance abuse, it can lead to potential health problems such as cancer and infertility.

• It can result in one not finding interest in the things they usually did for recreation.

• It could also affect ones finances as they constantly spend money to satisfy their addiction.

With all being said, it's evident that addictions aren't healthy. Anyone suffering from one form of addiction or the other needs to seek help so that personal, mental, social, physical health etc will all be functioning just fine.