What is Addiction?

Addiction is an inability to stop using, taking, or doing something even though it is causing serious psychological and/or physical harm. The individual strongly craves a specific substance, activity, or thing repeatedly for pleasure, making him dependent on it. One cannot stop themselves from giving into compulsive behaviour. Addiction disturbs brain regions responsible for motivation, judgment, and memory. Slowly, it interferes with one’s daily functioning and takes a serious toll on their well-being.

Types

Substance Addiction

This is where an individual is addicted to chemical substances. Some common addictive substances are as follows: alcohol, cocaine, Tobacco: cigarettes, bidi etc.

Non-substance Addiction

This is where an individual is addicted to an activity or a thing. Some common addictive non-substances are as follows: food: chocolate, fries, caffeine: coffee, tea, soda, gambling, shopping etc

Signs

Mind

MIND

Unable to concentrate
Detached from one’s surroundings
Trouble thinking clearly
Loss of control over the use of the substance
Intense urges to use the substance
Memory loss

Heart

HEART

Irritable
Tense & Nervous
Sadness
Guilt or shame
Feeling numb
Lack of emotional response

Body

BODY

Rapid heartbeat
Chills or hot flushes
Shakiness & Trembling
Sweating
Seizures
Changes in sleep pattern: Sleeping less or more than usual
Changes in energy level: Feeling tired or energetic

Action

ACTION

Poor performance, increased absenteeism at college/work
Lashing out verbally: Yelling, shouting & screaming
Lashing out physically: Hitting, breaking, or throwing things
Engaging in risky behaviours
Lying and/or stealing

Causes

Genetics: Research suggests that addiction can be inherited. If a close member is struggling with addiction or has a history of it, there is a chance for one to experience it themselves. However, one can develop an addiction with no relatives with the condition.

Traumas: Childhood incidents of physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, parental neglect, parental divorce, violence at home, addictive parents, a chaotic home, or early exposure to drugs or alcohol can make one vulnerable to developing addiction later in life.

Life events: Stressful experiences can lead to addictions, to cope with emotional discomforts, such as illness, death, divorce, breakup, poor-academic performance, work pressure, and financial problems. Initially, it induces a good feeling, but in the long run, it can become a dependence.

Peer Pressure: Individuals may come under the influence of peers who often expose them to substances or drugs.

Psychological conditions: Addictions can be linked to psychological issues such as depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.

Myths and Facts

How to Help Self?

Seeking Treatment: Addictions are treatable. There are many medical and psychological treatments available to help overcome addiction. Often there are psychological issues behind addiction. Seeking help will bring the situation under control by managing withdrawal symptoms, preventing relapse, and treating the underlying psychological condition, if any.

Psychiatrist: For medication
Psychologist: For talk therapy
Rehabilitation Centre: To treat cases that have serious complications

Activate your other senses to relieve your stress: Healthy ways to manage stress or emotional discomfort reduce your need to return to the addiction. These work differently for different people. The key is to find which one works out for you.

Physical workouts like walking, running, and hitting the gym.
Play with your pet and relax.
Breathe in the fragrance of flowers and perfumes or enjoy a scent that reminds you of a pleasant moment.
Go in for a hot shower.
Enjoy warm tea.
Spend time with nature.

Cultivate new interests: Give yourself a chance to do something new. Engaging your mind and body in a healthy activity can add meaning to your life. You can choose something you have always wanted to try or something that excites you. Things like painting, learning a new language, etc. Try to include it in your daily routine and create time for it. This will enable you to stick to it.

Tip: Keep the activity small and doable within a realistic time frame.

Talking to your loved ones: Opening up to all those who care for you, like the good listeners, and the ones you trust, can make you feel supported and not alone. Sharing and saying things aloud can give you relief. Talking about your cravings can help release the feelings and curb the need to indulge in addictive behaviour.

Keep your triggers in check: When you are trying to recover, recognizing and identifying the people, places, situations, or things that trigger the addictive behaviour can be helpful.

Avoid hanging out with friends, or peers who are still engaging in such behaviours.
Avoid places like bars, clubs, or environments you associate with your addiction.
Feeling let down, angry, or disappointed in self.
Removing addictive substances from home like chocolates, cookies, and candy for overeaters.
Getting rid of credit cards or carrying minimum cash to avoid shopping or gambling.

How to Help Others?

Listen: Simply being there to listen can be helpful for your loved ones to share, vent, and feel lighter. Show interest by maintaining eye contact and nodding your head when necessary. Try not to argue. Be there for your loved one and let them do the talking. Opening up about their cravings can help release the feelings and curb the need to indulge in addictive behaviour. If they find it difficult to open up, reassure them that you are there to listen whenever they are ready.

Encourage them to seek treatment: Addictions are treatable. You can always suggest and help your loved ones seek professional help. Try not to push them. There are many medical and psychological treatments available to help overcome an addiction. Often there are underlying psychological issues, so it’s important to take therapy and the medicines prescribed by professionals. This will help bring the situation under control by managing withdrawal symptoms, preventing relapse and treating the underlying psychological condition, if any.

Help them to find the triggers: Helping your loved ones recognise and identify the people, places, situations or things that trigger the addictive behaviour can be helpful when they are trying to recover.

Avoid hanging out with friends, or peers who are still engaging in such behaviours.
Avoid places like bars, clubs, or environments associated with the addiction.

Support them in finding a new interest or hobby: Engage your loved one in things they have always wanted to try or something that excites them. Things like painting, learning a new language, etc. Help them include the activity in their daily routine. This will enable them to stick to it and add value to their life. Join them in these activities and make them feel loved.
Tip: Suggest small activities that are doable within a realistic time frame.

Be patient: Sometimes, you may want to know about their situation in detail or try to get immediate help and expect a quick recovery. But the key is to have patience and offer them the space and time to talk to you at their own pace. Don’t try to force them to quit. You can care by providing your support and not giving up on them.