|
What is an addiction and more
importantly how can I tell if I am addicted to
something that have people see me as an addict?
To answer this type of question on addictions
can prove to be difficult due to the fact that
there is much confusion over the issue and its
rightful meaning.
There are many
misconceptions concerning addictions, how
they're caused, what course they follow and how
best to treat them. We all relate to an
addiction as to being something started that
can not be stopped. Addictions normally
involved if you have been labelled as an addict
is using illegal drugs such as heroin, or
alcohol.
Let’s use
cigarette smoking for example. Smokers and
their strong sense of compulsion to light up a
fag comes to the fore particularly in
situations where this is not allowed such as in
an aeroplane and now that the government
smoking ban has been enforced in the
UK
even more so.
These aspects of
addiction have a physiological basis related to
how the substance acts on the brain and a
psychological aspect relating to the reasons
for taking the substance (such as smoking to
improve concentration). People with addictions
differ in so many ways regardless of whatever
substance they are addicted
too.
There are some people
who use illegal substances regularly over
a prolonged period and experience few, if
any, problems as a result. However in
contrast to these people we have the
folks that find the capacity to control
how often and how much of their addiction
is used seems to erode quickly and a more
powerful state of attachment or
preoccupation with taking the substance
develops.
Most addictions
regardless of substance can take time to
develop. An addiction becomes and addiction
over time and sad as it may sound, most addicts
never set out to become addicted in the first
place. But I am afraid this is what cravings
are all about. It is important never to fall
into temptation.
Developing an
addiction normally progresses in
stages.
It all begins when
a person is tempted to try out whatever
substance is involved who then may go on to use
that substance again and again, where it now
becomes a regular habit. Consumption of the
unhealthy substance more often than not then
begins to increase. The affects of some
substances include where the body rapidly
becomes tolerant of a dose taken and the user
will increase the amount to achieve a desired
effect.
Addictions are not
purely directed towards drugs and alcohol,
other addictions are compulsive gambling,
internet games and chocolate etc, these
non-drug addictive behaviours are similar in
that the person has a lack of control over
their behaviour.
Addictions can be
bad for your health so it is important that you
speak with your doctor or go for counselling.
Kicking the habit is not as hard as you think,
with the right help and advice and more
importantly that you want to give up your
addiction or cravings then therapy
treatment.
|
