Addictions
What is addiction?
There are many things and activities that one can become addicted to. Addiction affects us all because very few can say they are not addicted to anything – neither substances nor activities.
A person with an addiction consumes a substance or behaves in a way that provides satisfaction and creates a strong need to repeat the behavior, despite its harmful consequences.
How does addiction look like?
In addition to drugs and alcohol, possible addictions include work, gambling, food, sports, shopping, sex, television, computers, and the internet. This list is certainly not exhaustive. The possibilities for addiction are likely as numerous as the potential pleasures.
Addictions affect the brain’s executive functions, centered in the prefrontal cortex. Thus, addicts may not be aware that their behavior causes problems for themselves and others. Over time, a person may intensely seek the pleasurable effects of the addictive substance or behavior.
All addictions can create feelings of hopelessness and failure, as well as shame and guilt. The positive side is that research suggests that recovery from addictions is more common than the exception.
There are many solutions for overcoming addictions. Some may recover independently, others benefit from community or peer support networks, and still, others choose addiction treatment or similar activities.
Addictions also include behaviors like excessive use of smartphones and social media consumption. Beyond drugs and alcohol, addictions include work, gambling, food, sports, shopping, sex, television, computers, and the internet.
Symptoms of addiction
The core of addiction lies in the repeated use of a substance or engagement in an activity, leading to damage or stress. An addiction diagnosis can be made if at least two of the following statements are true:
- The substance or activity is used in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended.
- There is a desire to reduce use or unsuccessful efforts to do so.
- A significant amount of time is spent on the substance or activity, or recovering from its use.
- There is a craving or strong desire to use the substance or engage in the activity.
- Use or activity interferes with obligations at work, school, or home.
- Use or activity continues despite social or interpersonal problems caused by it.
- Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are reduced or stopped.
- Use occurs in situations where it is physically hazardous.
- Use continues despite knowledge that it causes or worsens physical or psychological problems.
- A need to use increasingly larger amounts of the substance to achieve the desired effect, or significantly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount.
- Withdrawal symptoms occur when stopping the substance or activity.
The severity of the condition is assessed by the number of symptoms present. Two to three symptoms generally indicate a mild condition. Four to five symptoms indicate a moderate disorder. Six or more symptoms are considered a severe condition.
Development and causes of addictions
Becoming addicted is a gradual process. Addiction develops in stages, starting with experimentation (some try out of curiosity, some want to fit in, some can’t say “no”), then the substance or activity becomes more appealing. Initially, it seems to be under control, with the belief that one can stop at any time, without seeing any problem for oneself or others. Often, close ones do not notice that anything is wrong. As addiction deepens and overuse follows, the substance or activity becomes a regular need, making it difficult to function without it, losing the ability to set limits, not realizing one’s actions, and ignoring friends and family. Eventually, one becomes fully addicted, willing to do anything to satisfy their needs, not caring about anything else and living only for the addiction by any means necessary.
Dr. Gabor Maté, a Hungarian-Canadian physician and expert in trauma, addictions, stress, and child development, believes that everything we have ever longed for has helped us escape emotional pain at that moment. It gave us peace of mind, control, and happiness. He defines addiction as any behavior that provides temporary relief and pleasure but has negative consequences, and one keeps returning to it. Maté’s philosophy centers on the belief that there is no such thing as an “addictive personality,” and he does not call addiction a “disease.” Instead, it stems from a person’s need to solve a problem, often rooted in early childhood trauma or loss.
What are the assumed causes of addiction?
The causes of addiction are considered to be the following factors:
- Biological factors: Genes people are born with account for about half of a person’s addiction risk. Gender, ethnicity, and other mental disorders can also influence the risk of addiction.
- Environment: A person’s environment includes various influences from family and friends to economic status and overall quality of life. Factors like peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can significantly impact the likelihood of drug use and addiction.
- Development: Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person’s life. While taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to addiction, particularly problematic for teens. Since brain areas controlling decision-making and self-control are still developing in teens, they are especially prone to risky behaviors.
- Trauma and loss: According to Maté’s philosophy, addictive behavior stems from a person’s need to solve deeply rooted problems, often originating in early years and related to trauma or loss.
