Drug Rehab - The Basics Drug and alcohol addiction is a disease where the individual suffering will need to detox or enter into rehab to recover. Addiction cannot be cured, so the individual might have craving's their whole lives, but the addict can still live a happy, healthy ... Self Esteem And Addiction Self esteem is something I believe that we would all like to have but when you have some powerful addiction one of the first things you lose is your self esteem. None of us like to think we are addicted to something and are adamant that we are in ... Smoking - An Addiction or Habit (Part 2) If smoking is not a 100% physical addiction what is it? Well, you would be more accurate in describing it as a psychological addiction.What is a psychological addiction? It is a mental urge or reminder to do something because of a particular trigger or ...
5 Symptoms That Indicate You Have An Addiction
Addictions are most commonly associated with drug and alcohol addiction, however the truth is millions of people suffer from all kinds of addictions.
Some of these addictions are related to some form of chemical dependency such as alcohol, controlled substances and even prescription medicines. Other addictions are related to compulsive types of behavior such as gambling, shopping, food disorders an even the Internet.
One of the most important things to recognize about any type of addiction, regardless of whether it is a chemical addiction or a behavioral addiction; is that it is not a matter of choice. Individuals who are addicts do not have the ability to simply decide to stop abusing their 'drug' of choice. Addictions affect not only the user, but also their family and friends as well.
So what is an addiction?
How does it begin and when does a pattern of behavior become an addiction? Some individuals seem to have the ability to use a substance or engage in a behavior periodically over a period of years without becoming 'hooked.' Others; however are not capable of stopping and become addicted.
Addictions affect all social and educational groups. There is no typical addict.
The causes of addiction have been studied for several years. In many ways, addiction is caused by the emotion the substance or behavior brings about in the user. The body and mind become dependent on that feeling and seeks to maintain it.
There are addiction risk factors that make some people more likely than others to become addicts. Studies show that sometimes addictions can be hereditary. The child of an alcoholic may not grow up to be an alcoholic, however, they may become addicted to gambling or some other type of compulsive behavior as an adult.
Besides hereditary, individuals who grow up in families with abuse, neglect and who are impoverished are more likely to become addicts.
For most addicts, it can be extremely difficult to recognize that what they have associated as simply a habit is actually an addiction. While every individual is different there are some symptoms that are prevalent among most addicts and addictions:
Symptom # 1
Unable to meet responsibilities at home, school or office.
Symptom # 2
Continues to use substances or engage in behavior even when it is dangerous.
Symptom # 3
The need increases to engage in behavior or use more of a substance to achieve the same effect or feeling.
Symptom # 4
Has tried but failed to stop using the substance or end the behavior.
Symptom # 5
Continues to engage in the behavior or use the substances even when they are aware of the dangers.
Answering yes to three or more of the above symptoms during a 12 month period may show that you or a loved one has an addiction. The first step to treating an addiction is recognizing that it exists.
There is no cure for an addiction. Treatment and counseling can help an addict to learn how to control their behavior, withstand impulses and recognize the presence of a problem, but an addict is never cured. Treating an addiction can take years and requires ongoing support from friends, families and support groups.
A 12 step program can be particularly beneficial in treating an addiction. One of the most well known 12 step programs is AA, also known as Alcoholics Anonymous; however there are similar programs for all types of addictions.
Living with an addiction requires a daily commitment and there is always the possibility of relapsing. An addict that has been "clean" for even 20 years can succumb to temptation just as they did decades before.
There are several treatment programs and centers that can help with the numerous types of addictions that are prevalent today. Many of them are anonymous. Support groups are also available to help family and friends who experience the effects of an addiction in a loved one.
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Always consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.
Dr. Martin Doot dies: Treated those with addictions Norridge Harwood Heights News, IL - 19 hours ago As part of his work with individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, Dr. Doot served as medical director of the Advocate Medical Group's ...
Auto addictions News & Observer (registration), NC - Nov 18, 2008 The addiction of many Americans to foreign vehicles (even if they are assembled in this country) is responsible in large measure for the current ...
Addictions Awareness Pembina Valley Online, Canada - Nov 19, 2008 The Winkler Police Service, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, and a parent of a youth who struggled with addictions... hosted a presentation on addictions...
Thumbs up to weathering BlackBerry addiction The Star-Ledger - NJ.com, NJ - Nov 19, 2008 Addictions don't care about the weather. They do their dirty work with the same efficiency, whether it's the swampy days of August or the frigid freeze of ...
Lance Allan Today's TMJ4, WI - 16 hours ago And both have something else in common....going to rehab to shed addictions, and all these years later, they pour themselves into hunting and other ...
National Addictions Awareness Week this week Melfort Journal, Canada - Nov 18, 2008 Addictions are a problem that have a wide variety of issues entailed. The week of Nov. 17 to Nov. 21 is National Addictions Awareness Week. ...
Mental health treatment: Timely access vital TheChronicleHerald.ca, Canada - 20 hours ago The IWK’s Mental Health and Addictions Program sees all children and youth who are in an emergency situation immediately (there is a crisis team available ...
Up next: free heroin for addicts Globe and Mail, Canada - 20 hours ago But a number of addictions doctors aren't impressed. And they've issued a sweeping critique of the NAOMI trial that raises important questions about it. ...
