If You Think You Might Have An Addiction
It is common, if not normal, to go through a stage of engaging in substance use or an addictive behavior without believing you are addicted. This is so common, in fact, that it has a name, the pre-contemplation stage.
If you are starting to think you might have an addiction, you have probably moved into the contemplation stage. This is a great time to find out more about the substance or behavior that you have been engaging in and to reflect honestly on whether you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of addiction.
Many people then decide to make changes. For some people, this is easy and manageable. For many others, quitting can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, even with behaviors, and can open up uncomfortable feelings that were being soothed or suppressed by the addictive behavior.
If this happens, or if you have been drinking or using drugs, such as opioidsillicit or prescribed, other prescription medications, stimulants, cocaine, or methyou should seek medical help immediately.
Stopping some drugs then relapsing can heighten your risk of overdose, mental health problems, or other life-threatening medical complications, and should be done under medical supervision.
Dopamine And The Way We Lean On Social Media:
As per the interview given by two Experts: Anna Lembke, Chief of the Addiction Medicine at Stanford University, and Tristan Harris, Center for Humane Technology: This is a problem probably as big as climate change.
She tells something about Social media: Its not addictive by accident, its addictive by design.
They dont sell your data, they sell the capacity to influence and manipulate your thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors through advertising.
So long as were the product and not the customer, their business model is making sure that we use it as frequently and for as long and as often as possible.
Dopamine, a natural neurotransmitter carrying signals from body to the brain, found in human body, is vital to physical and mental wellbeing of a human.
Dopamine levels in ones body determine our mood, memory, sleep, learning, concentration and even its voluntary movements.
What Can I Do About My Drug Use
If you take drugs regularly and you have some of the signs listed here, its important that you talk to a doctor or a mental health professional as soon as you can. Continuing to take drugs might seem like the only way to feel better, but it can lead to some pretty serious consequences, including ongoing mental and physical health issues, or even death.
Recognising the problem is the first step in getting help for addiction. No one can force another person to undergo treatment for a problem they dont believe they have.
Talk to a doctor or a health professional
Try using ReachOut NextStep which will guide you through a few key questions and help you find the support that’s right for you.
Dont go cold turkey
It might seem easier to just stop taking drugs and to manage withdrawal on your own, but this is actually the most difficult way to go about it. It can also be physically dangerous, depending on the drug and level of addiction. If you dont feel comfortable talking to a health professional, start with a trusted friend or family member.
If you’re looking for more info on individual types of drugs, check out Your Room’s A-Z of Drugs.
Remember that if you do have a drug problem, the first step in overcoming it is to acknowledge it. You’ll find plenty of support services that can help you here, and you can filter by type of service and location.
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Addiction In The Elderly
4. Peer Support. Connecting with others who have the same problem is very important when overcoming an addiction. While family and friends can try to understand, it is helpful to have a peer group to vent and discuss the challenges.
5. Journaling.Stress and other negative moods are triggers for relapse in any addiction. Keeping a journal of ones eating and moods is a helpful step to gaining an understanding of how different moods affect consumption.
6. Stress Management. Developing new, more effective stress reduction strategies is essential. Relaxation exercises, meditation, music, and exercise are a few of many examples.
7. Exercise. Exercise not only reduces stress and weight, but it has also been shown to reduce food cravings, increase self-control, and reduce addictive behaviors .
8. Get Back to Living. Counseling involves identifying and planning activities that are consistent with life values and goals in order to create forward momentum towards a life that is meaningful and values-driven, and not dictated by food.
References
Avena, NM, Bocarsly,ME & Hoebel, B.G. . Animal models of sugar and fat binging: Relationship to food addiction and increased body weight. Methods of Molecular Biology, 829, 351-265.
Gearhardt, AN, Davis, C, Kuschner, R, Brownell, KD. . The addiction potential of hyperpalatable foods. Curr Drug Abuse Reviews, 4, 140-145.
Fontes-Ribeiro et al . May exercise prevent addiction? Curr Neuropharmacol, 9: 45-48.
When To Contact A Doctor
Anyone using substances, even socially, should discuss them with a doctor to ensure safe use and monitor for signs or symptoms of addiction.
However, a person with addiction may not be ready or willing to seek professional medical help, regardless of the negative impacts it is having on their health and wellness.
If a person experiences a substance overdose, those around them should seek emergency medical assistance immediately. A person who has recovered from an overdose may want to seek professional help to treat their addiction.
When a person is ready and wants help with their addiction, they may wish to contact a medical professional to discuss options for treatment. These options include rehab, therapy, detox, and medication.
Medicinal advances and progress in diagnosis have helped the medical community develop various ways to manage and resolve addiction.
Some methods include:
- medical devices to treat withdrawal
- treating related psychological factors, such as depression
- ongoing care to reduce the risk of relapse
Addiction treatment is highly personalized and often requires the support of the individuals community or family.
Treatment can take a long time and may be complicated. Addiction is a chronic condition with a range of psychological and physical effects. Each substance or behavior may require different management techniques.
A person with addiction can find many organizations that may help them. A person can also call a hotline for help with their addiction.
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How To Tell If You Have A Drug Problem
A drug is any kind of medicine or chemical that changes how your body or brain functions. There are legal drugs , which you can buy over the counter or get from a health professional, and illegal drugs. Its possible to become addicted to both legal and illegal drugs.
Addiction is when theres an uncontrollable urge to consume a drug because of a physical or mental dependence on the chemical in the drug. Usually, this is because the substance has a pleasurable or satisfying effect, or helps to stop bad feelings .
Risk Factors For Addiction
Doctors have identified several risk factors that could increase a persons risk for addiction, including mental health disorders and a history of childhood trauma.
While risk factors can increase the chances of addiction, its important to remember that a risk factor for addiction doesnt mean that a person will become addicted. This article will discuss the individual risk factors that have been identified and what research has to say about them.
An estimated 264 million people ages 15 to 64 admit to having used illegal drugs in the United States in 2013, according to an article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.1 The journal also reports that more people experience addictions to substances such as tobacco and alcohol than those who have the medical conditions of cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
The number of people suffering from addiction to substances is higher than the number of people suffering from cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
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How To Help A Person With High Addiction Risk
Various forms of behavioral therapies can help individuals struggling with these issues to learn to manage their behaviors and acquire self-regulation skills that can moderate the addictive response. In addition, for those who have already developed substance use problems, treatment programs can incorporate these therapies with other demonstrated treatments. This approach may help the person safely stop using drugs or alcohol and live a sober life as well as gain control over the various traits above.
Seeking out research-based, professional care can provide the individual with tools to understand and manage these various traits, making recovery possible.
When Your Addiction Is To A Narcissist
If you have an energy vampire, or narcissist, in your life and you are hanging on to the relationship to the point where your life is disrupted, this is called narcissistic addiction. And it is real! In fact, there are even biochemical changes in your body that take place, as with any addiction. Because of this, your brain chemicals can actually lock you into addiction to an energy vampire. Of course, if you already have addictive tendencies such as to drugs or alcohol you may understand the brain chemical aspect. It works like this:
You experience the release of dopamine when the narcissist is love-bombing you with gifts and compliments. You also experience the release of oxytocin when you are physically around your energy vampire, especially if you are in a sexual relationship. Then, when the energy vampire starts to exhibit unpredictable behavior, you experience adrenaline rushes. Finally, when you experience abuse at the hands of a narcissist you ultimately experience the effects of a constant stream of cortisol.
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Do I Have A Sugar Addiction
Do I have a Sugar Addiction
Whether you have an affinity for cookies, cakes, or sodas, they all contain a fair bit of sugar. The same applies to many of the foods and beverages we consume on a daily basis. However, avoiding sugar altogether can be difficult if you’re trying to lose weight or have a desire to eat healthily. Further complicating matters, sugar can also be addictive for some people. According to harvard.edu, it is not uncommon for some people to have an emotional or psychological dependence when it comes to sugary foods and beverages. The Harvard study also found that more than 75 percent of Americans consume an excessive amount of sugar and are believed to be addicted to this delightful sweetener. It is, however, worth noting that sugar in moderation is fine. And best of all, it can help keep your favorite foods and beverages from tasting bland. In this article, we take a closer look at what constitutes a sugar addiction and steps that you can take to overcome one.
DO I HAVE A SUGAR ADDICTION?
SUGAR ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH
HOW SUGAR AFFECTS THE BODY
SUGAR ADDICTION AND WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
Whether you choose to go it alone or seek help for your sugar addiction, you will be faced with a number of withdrawal symptoms once you have given up sugar. Some of the more common symptoms include
- Lack of energy
- Cravings
- Irritability
You Feel You Need It To Deal With Your Problems
Alongside what Psychology Today calls the “craving or compulsion” to keep doing an addictive thing, there is often another motivator: the belief in its necessity to your functioning. The most common reason that addicts refuse to seek treatment, according to a study of 2.8 million drug users, is that they’re “not ready to stop using,” at a whopping 38.8 percent. Life without the addiction seems terrifying and impossible it has become one of the only reliable ways to deal with your issues and life in general, and you aren’t prepared to try to experience the world without it.
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Do I Have A Pornography Addiction
Please take this quick quiz. Each answer should be yes or no. The more yes answers you see, the greater your chances of having a porn addiction.
Defining Features Of Addiction
Two aspects that all addictions have in common:
- The addictive behavior is maladaptive. The behavior causes problems for the individual or those around them. So instead of helping the person cope with situations or overcome problems, it tends to undermine these abilities.
- The behavior is persistent. When people are addicted, they will continue to engage in the addictive behavior despite the trouble it causes. So an occasional weekend of self-indulgence is not an addiction, although it may cause different kinds of problems. Addiction is characterized by frequent engagement in the behavior.
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Your Addiction Can Get Worse
Because addiction is measured on a spectrum, its true that a mild diagnosis may not be as bad as a severe one. Its easy to say, I could be worse. Its important to remember that addiction is a progressive disease, meaning it will get worse. If youre only a mild case right now, it will likely become moderate or severe in the future.
Addiction is a chronic disease, much like asthma, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and many others. If you were diagnosed with stage 1 cancer, would you not seek some form of treatment to prevent it from getting worse? You dont have to be at rock bottom to need treatment. Get help before it gets out of hand. If you are at rock bottom or have a severe diagnosis, its never too late to get the help you need.
Addictions Vs Substance Use Disorders
The term addiction is used to describe compulsive drug-seeking behaviors that continue in spite of negative outcomes, but it is important to note that addiction is not considered an official diagnosis in the DSM-5.
Rather than using the term “addiction,” the DSM-5 classifies substance use disorders. While the diagnostic criteria vary for each type, the DSM-5 describes these disorders as a problematic pattern of use of intoxicating substances that leads to significant impairment and distress. These symptoms can result in impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and tolerance/withdrawal.
While these conditions might be informally referred to as addictions, your doctor will officially diagnose you with some form of substance use disorder or one of the two behavioral addiction disorders that are officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association .
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Alcohol Facts And Statistics
Alcoholism is known to tear apart families, result in loss of a job and can cause incarceration due to illegal activity. Take a look at some of the latest alcohol facts and statistics:
- Alcohol use is the fourth leading cause of preventable death in the United States and costs the United States $249 billion per year.
- Approximately 88,000 lives are lost each year in the United States and 3.3 million worldwide from alcohol related deaths.
- Although alcohol addiction is 2.5 more prevalent in men than women, this serious addiction affects individuals of all ages, genders, social classes and nationalities.
- Alcohol related deaths include medical complications directly related to alcohol, motor vehicle accidents, cancers, physical assaults, suicide and overdose.
- Alcohol works on the same receptors in the brain as benzodiazepines however alcohol affects several neurotransmitters, or brain communication chemicals, and when ingested results in central nervous system depression.
- Alcoholism can result in overdose and also when alcohol is withdrawn for a period of time it can create central nervous system excitability resulting in seizures.
Signs Of Alcohol Abuse
Unfortunately, public perception of alcohol may be that since it is legal, it is not a drug, but it is, and a lethal one at that. The history of alcohol and the Prohibition lay bare that this drug is legal mainly because of its popularity and commercial profitability, not because of its widespread acceptance. Even today, some Americans would support the efforts made in this time period, especially those who have firsthand experience with this illness.
Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are associated with physical symptoms such as weight loss, redness of the cheeks and nose, and gastritis . This illness also gives rise to many of the behavioral changes discussed earlier. However, there are additional negative experiences associated with alcohol abuse, including:
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