Post by Anton on May 27, 2013 16:19:15 GMT
What Is Addiction? What Causes Addiction?
People with an addiction do not have control over what they are doing,
taking or using. Their addiction may reach a point at which it is
harmful. Addictions do not only include physical things we consume, such
as drugs or alcohol, but may include virtually anything, such abstract
things as gambling to seemingly harmless products, such as chocolate -
in other words, addiction may refer to a substance dependence (e.g. drug addiction) or behavioral addiction (e.g. gambling add
This article focuses mainly on addiction to physical substances.
In the past addiction used to refer just to psychoactive substances that
cross the blood-brain barrier, temporarily altering the chemical
balance of the brain; this would include alcohol, tobacco and some
drugs. A considerable number of psychologists, other health care
professionals and lay people now insist that psychological dependency,
as may be the case with gambling, sex, internet, work, exercise, etc.
should also be counted as addictions, because they can also lead to
feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness, despair, failure, rejection,
anxiety and/or humiliation.
When a person is addicted to something they cannot control how they use it, and become dependent on it to cope with daily life.
A habit may eventually develop into an addiction
Many of us can use substances or become engaged in activities without
any significant problems. Some people, however, may experience damaging
psychological and/or physical effects when their habit becomes an addiction.
What is the difference between a habit and an addiction?
Addiction - there is a psychological/physical
component; the person is unable to control the aspects of the addiction
without help because of the mental or physical conditions involved.Habit - it is done by choice. The person with the
habit can choose to stop, and will subsequently stop successfully if
they want to. The psychological/physical component is not an issue as it
is with an addiction.
Put simply - with a habit you are in control of your choices, with an addiction you are not in control of your choices.
Addiction to substances or activities can sometimes lead to serious problems at home, work, school and socially.
The causes of addiction vary considerably, and are not often fully
understood. They are generally caused by a combination of physical,
mental, circumstantial and emotional factors.
Addiction, often referred to as dependency often leads to tolerance
- the addicted person needs larger and more regular amounts of whatever
they are addicted to in order to receive the same effect. Often, the
initial reward is no longer felt, and the addiction continues because
withdrawal is so unpleasant.
www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/addiction/
People with an addiction do not have control over what they are doing,
taking or using. Their addiction may reach a point at which it is
harmful. Addictions do not only include physical things we consume, such
as drugs or alcohol, but may include virtually anything, such abstract
things as gambling to seemingly harmless products, such as chocolate -
in other words, addiction may refer to a substance dependence (e.g. drug addiction) or behavioral addiction (e.g. gambling add
This article focuses mainly on addiction to physical substances.
In the past addiction used to refer just to psychoactive substances that
cross the blood-brain barrier, temporarily altering the chemical
balance of the brain; this would include alcohol, tobacco and some
drugs. A considerable number of psychologists, other health care
professionals and lay people now insist that psychological dependency,
as may be the case with gambling, sex, internet, work, exercise, etc.
should also be counted as addictions, because they can also lead to
feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness, despair, failure, rejection,
anxiety and/or humiliation.
When a person is addicted to something they cannot control how they use it, and become dependent on it to cope with daily life.
A habit may eventually develop into an addiction
Many of us can use substances or become engaged in activities without
any significant problems. Some people, however, may experience damaging
psychological and/or physical effects when their habit becomes an addiction.
What is the difference between a habit and an addiction?
Addiction - there is a psychological/physical
component; the person is unable to control the aspects of the addiction
without help because of the mental or physical conditions involved.Habit - it is done by choice. The person with the
habit can choose to stop, and will subsequently stop successfully if
they want to. The psychological/physical component is not an issue as it
is with an addiction.
Put simply - with a habit you are in control of your choices, with an addiction you are not in control of your choices.
Addiction to substances or activities can sometimes lead to serious problems at home, work, school and socially.
The causes of addiction vary considerably, and are not often fully
understood. They are generally caused by a combination of physical,
mental, circumstantial and emotional factors.
Addiction, often referred to as dependency often leads to tolerance
- the addicted person needs larger and more regular amounts of whatever
they are addicted to in order to receive the same effect. Often, the
initial reward is no longer felt, and the addiction continues because
withdrawal is so unpleasant.
www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/addiction/
