What is addiction?
Addiction is a compulsion to use a substance, or persist with certain behaviour to ensure you feel good. An addiction falls into two categories: physical and psychological. It doesn’t even have to be a serious problem to be classed as an addiction. It can be any severity of addiction meaning anywhere from ‘mild addiction’ to ‘serious addiction’.
- Physical addiction occurs after you take a substance so much it actually alters your body’s chemistry. This means your body develops a hunger for this drug that you have to keep feeding. If you don’t, your body goes into withdrawal and you get all kinds of nasty symptoms until you feed it again.
- Psychological addiction is when your brain gets hooked to a particular substance or behaviour that ‘rewards’ it, i.e., makes you feel good. Kinda crazy right? An addicted brain can actually produce physical manifestations of withdrawal, including cravings, irritability, insomnia, and depression. The mind is truly a powerful thing.
When it comes to alcohol, nicotine and illegal drugs, it’s possible to develop either a physical addiction, psychological addiction, or a mixture of both.
Why/how do you become an addict?
Anyone who takes enough of a certain substance is at risk of becoming addicted to it. Most of the time there are underlying difficulties in an addict’s life that caused the addiction. This could be trauma in the family, abuse, neglect, trouble at school/work, or even self-esteem issues.
Are some people more susceptible to addiction to others?
The phrase ‘addictive personality’ gets thrown around a lot but it has no scientific basis. “I like to tell clients that addiction is a great leveller,” says Dr Robert Hill, a consultant clinical psychologist. “No one is immune. Anyone can become an addict.”
BUT there are a few factors that can lead to addiction. There’s a genetic susceptibility to alcohol, and therefore alcoholism is likely to run in a family. This doesn’t mean you’re automatically going to be an alcoholic if a family member is one, but the risk is higher.
Being young is another contributor. Teenagers and people in their early 20s usually experiment with high-risk activities like drinking and drugs. Young brains aren’t wired to think about the long-term consequences of their substance use, which can make them more likely to overindulge.
Although there isn’t such a thing as an ‘addictive personality’, people who are sensation-seekers are generally more likely to experiment and can develop addictive behaviours. Poverty can also be a factor, as is growing up in an environment where other people are addicts.
“The main component is an intolerance of experiencing your emotions and being in the present,” says Dr Hill. “There’s an impatience to change one’s mental or physical state. But no personality ‘type’ is protected from addiction.”
What is addiction and what are the signs?
Although all different types of personalities and people can develop all types of addictions, the warning signs usually follow the same pattern, and include:
- An unhealthy focus on pursuing the substance/behaviour
- Excluding other activities that aren’t related to using
- Going out primarily to use
- Needing more of the substance/behaviour to get the same high
- Disregard for other areas of your life including relationships, your health, or career
- Withdrawal symptoms if substance/behaviour is prohibited
Recognising you have an addiction is a seriously difficult thing to do. It’s an enormous step but once you’ve done it, you’re on your way to recovery.
Getting help for addiction
Kellie and Michael work for a drug and alcohol charity based in Newcastle upon Tyne and have over 20 years of experience between them...
I think I’m an addict. What should I do?
The first point of call needs to be your GP. They have access to the services, support groups and treatment options that you need to get better. You may be doubting whether you can trust your doctor to keep your problem confidential. Good news is most GPs have a confidentiality policy. If you’re not feeling it, you can always ask your surgery to refer you to another doctor.
“Tough as it is to see a doctor and tell them ‘I think I have a problem’, talking to someone is the most important thing you can do,” says Dr Robert Hill, a consultant clinical psychologist and addiction specialist.
If you don’t want to face your doctor, there are lots of national charities that can help you, like Alcohol Concern, Frank, and Release. There will also be local advice centres and group meetings, such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous, who can offer long-term support.
But to receive medical help for your substance use, you will need to see a health professional and get a referral.
What does addiction treatment involve?
It depends. If your body is physically dependent on a substance, then you need to detox it from your system. This will be medically assisted so you come off that bugger in a safe way. Next will be group therapy, as well as individual discussions looking at the reasons behind your addiction.
If you take a substance at hazardous levels, but your body is not physically dependent on it, you will probably be referred to a psychologist, community health nurse, or Cognitive Behaviour Therapist. They can help you come up with ways to change the habits you’ve developed.
Finding the right kind of support
It’s also important to note that a professional might not provide the right support for you, we’re all human and don’t always get it right. Kelly and Michael suggest looking in other places, such as your local drug service, if you feel like you aren’t getting the help you need. We know it may seem like a lot to go through the process again but don’t give up on recovery just because of one shitty experience.
“Addiction help isn’t about a doctor repeatedly telling you, ‘this is bad for you’. It’s about working with the person and looking at the pros and cons of using,” says Dr Hill. “You weigh up the reasons for staying the same and the reasons for changing, and this is where it gets interesting. This is where addicts start seeing light at the end of the tunnel.”
Do I have to give up drugs and alcohol FOREVER?
The thought of a lifetime abstaining from something you relied on for so long can be pretty scary. Don’t lose hope though, because addiction recovery is not a one-size fits all. Some people choose to stay ‘California Sober’ a lá Demi Lovato or stick to the standard 12-step program. The important thing is that you keep checking in with yourself and having conversations about how you can adapt your recovery to where you’re at in life.
Taking it one day at a time
Most of the time recovery is more about facing the root of your addiction. As Kelly and Michael highlight, this can be anything from just liking the feeling of being high to wanting to escape your problems. As you go through this process, try to create sustainable goals with the aim of preventing relapse. Take it one day at a time. For example, if you’re a heavy drinker, telling yourself “I’ll try not to drink tomorrow” instead of “I can never drink again” might help.
We can’t lie, there are going to be some hard days but it’ll be worth it in the end. If you don’t believe us, listen to Dr.Hill who wants readers to know that “Life is going to get better.”
Can I treat my addiction by myself?
You can certainly try, but statistics aren’t on your side. Specifically if your body is physically dependent on a substance, it can get pretty rough. Overcoming substance addiction isn’t an easy thing to do. There will always be a risk of relapse. That is why it is ridiculously important to reach out and get help with addiction recovery. One thing you can do on your own is start exercising or finding a hobby to fill your time. Doing anything to keep your mind off drugs is a step in the right direction.
As Kellie and Michael put it “If you feel the doc wasn’t helping – go to your local drug service” Just know that there is always someone who is willing to help, no questions asked.
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