The Repeated Use of a Substance or Behavior
Understanding Addiction
Classified as a neuropsychological disorder, addiction is the chronic and relapsing use of a substance or behavior, despite adverse consequences. Addiction hijacks the brain’s reward system, causing it to constantly seek a quick “high.” There are many types of substance use disorders and addictions.
It’s important to know the correlation between substance use disorders and addiction. Substance use disorders may be classified as mild to moderate, with addiction being the most severe form.
Get to know the 4 Cs of addiction:
- Craving the substance or behavior
- Lack of control
- Compulsion to use
- Disregarding negative consequences
What Addiction May Look Like
Although many people with an addictive disorder attempt to hide their addiction, there are signs to look out for. A person may display changes in their personality, risk-taking tendencies and typical routine (missing work, lack of interest in hobbies).
Someone with an addiction may withdraw from their close relationships or begin hiding from those around them. It has the potential to cause physical, emotional, social and financial turmoil.
Addiction may present in declining physical or mental health, such as:
- Illness
- Abrupt weight loss
- Poor hygiene (skin, hair, teeth, nails)
- Increased drug or alcohol tolerance
- Slurred words or rapid speech
- Aggression
- Irritability
- Suicidal thoughts
- Abrupt changes in mood
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Paranoia
The Cycle of Addiction
Initial abuse → Abuse → Tolerance → Dependence → Relapse
- A person uses a substance for the first time or begins regularly using a substance.
- They become addicted to the substance, so they continue to use it.
- With continued use, the body begins to tolerate the substance. The user has to use more in order to achieve the same initial feeling.
- With consistent use, the person becomes used to functioning with the substance, and cannot properly function without it.
- They attempt to quit or discontinue regular use of the substance and begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are intense and the user relapses to get rid of them.
Mental health disorders often correlate with substance use. This includes anxiety, depression, ADHD and other disorders. However, the presence of substance use disorder and mental health disorder may not mean that one is caused by the other.
Anxiety
There is an association between anxiety disorders and addictive behaviors. Anxiety can be uncomfortable and stressful, which may cause a person to self-medicate or seek out self-soothing behavior. Using substances to temporarily soothe feelings of anxiety can lead to a drug addiction or alcohol addiction disorder.
Depression
Like anxiety, depression can cause feelings of sadness and hopelessness. These feelings may cause a person to self-medicate or self-soothe in numerous ways, one of them being substance use. Continued substance use leads to addiction.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be more inclined to engage in risky behavior. Because ADHD is associated with hyperactivity and high energy, a person may participate in self-soothing behaviors, which could lead to substance use.
Types of Addiction
Addiction is often associated with substance use of drugs and alcohol, but that isn’t always the case. There are many forms of addiction because anything can be addictive, which is why it may not look the same for everyone.
Common substance use addictions include:
- Nicotine (cigarettes, e-cigs)
- Alcohol
- Prescription or non-prescription drugs (opioids, inhalants, marijuana, other illegal drugs, etc.)
Common addictive behaviors include:
- Gambling
- Sex
- Shopping
- Internet (video games, media)
- Working
Risk Factors
Certain lifestyle choices, environmental factors and genetics may increase the likelihood of developing an addiction, including:
- Family history (genetics and/or mental health)
- Childhood trauma
- Personal relationship experiences
- Mental health issues
- Inadequate parental supervision
- Witnessed substance use by parents or family members
- Health problem that requires taking addictive medication
Risk of addiction can also stem from everyday habits, like increased heavy drinking (also known as binge drinking), taking prescription medications or taking part in occasional recreational vices.
Addiction Disorder Treatment
There are many different types of treatment for addiction disorders, and they all strive towards the same goals:
- Helping you understand how and why you developed an addiction.
- Helping you understand the consequences of the addictive behavior.
- Helping you learn healthy habits and coping mechanisms to avoid relapse.
Treatment programs usually begin with detoxification, followed with cognitive and behavioral therapies. Medication-assisted treatment plans consist of controlled medication use in combination with therapy.
Therapy
Addiction treatment can be assisted with different forms of therapy, depending on the individual’s needs.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – Talk therapy focused on changing negative thoughts and behaviors caused by psychological distress
- Psychotherapy – General talk therapy for mental or behavioral disorders
- Family therapy – Psychotherapeutic counseling with loved ones to efficiently communicate and resolve conflicts
Support Groups
There are plenty of support groups for those dealing with substance use disorders and addiction. Support groups can be a comforting space for those who feel alone in their struggles with mental disorders.
Being able to connect with others over a shared behavior or issue can help to lessen the burden and shame. In support group meetings, a person will learn healthy coping mechanisms and techniques.
Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous host peer-led support groups globally to help those with substance abuse addictions.
Medication-Assisted
For some, a proper treatment plan may require taking medication. Certain treatments for drug addiction disorder use medication-assisted approaches, which is effective in easing withdrawal symptoms and preventing relapse.
Lifestyle Changes
Implementing healthy habits can be the first step in the right direction for anyone. Although it may require discipline, there are easy, risk-free ways to lessen mental stress and emotional reactivity. Try creating and sticking to a daily routine, staying organized, minimizing excess stimuli when you need to focus, and keeping your body active when possible.
SOURCES
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health
