Addiction And Addictive Behaviors, Warning: 7 Danger Signals
Addiction is much larger in scope than dependence on alcohol or drugs.
There are process addictions in in addition to addiction to illegal drugs or alcohol. Compulsive behaviors can be addictions also for example: eating disorders, gambling, and shopping. When active in addiction, negative consequences can happen to self and others. Some questions come up. Do we know what addiction is? How does all this get started? Crossing the line from a behavior into addiction is a difficult point to ascertain?
It is hard to understand, but none the less it is a fact that while many people can engage in behavior or use drugs and alcohol with no problems, addicts simply cannot. Victims of addiction have lost the ability to control or stop their user behaviors. Social position, economic status, race or religion does not matter when it comes to addiction.
There is no standard definition of an addict. No one is ‘typical’. Despite a lot of study scientists cannot agree on the causes or cures for addiction. A truly difficult part of addictive behaviors and addiction to measure is the emotional impact on self and others. Gaining relief from uncomfortably emotions is a prime motivator for engaging in addictive behaviors. It is ironic that engaging in the behavior actually creates more negative emotions that require even more relief.
While addiction manifests itself in different people in different ways, here are the most common signs and symptoms of addiction:
Symptom 1 - Unable to meet responsibilities of relationships or at home, school or work.
Symptom 2 - Compulsive preoccupation, meaning one spends a great deal of time thinking about the substance or behavior
Symptom 3 - Has tried but failed to stop using the substance or end the behavior. Control is lost.
Symptom 4 - Engages in the behavior or substance use knowing it is dangerous or in dangerous situations such as driving.
Symptom 5 - Because of the addiction, one stops activities or hobbies that were fun or enjoyable.
Symptom 6 - There is a need to increase the amount and frequency of the behavior or substance to achieve the desired felling or affect.
Symptom 7 - Ones life has become centered around the addiction, isolation from others occurs.
Get some help if any of those danger signals are occurring. Everyone agrees that addiction is a progressive disease. Left alone, the addiction will get worse.
There is more information available here on addiction treatment.