Addiction is an urge that compels the person to indulge in a behavior or activity that brings short-term relief but a long-term causality. This complex disease gradually damages various areas of your life- health, relationships, finance, and work performance. In scientific terms, it is a chronic dysfunction of the brain, considered a reward due to compulsive pursuit and lack of judgment. It can be both physical and behavioral, which might go hand in hand.
A person can be addicted to drugs or alcohol just as seriously as one can be addicted to a behavior like gambling or shopping. The underlying issue- the root cause of the addiction is more significant than the type of addiction, which forces the patient to fulfill his pleasure despite the serious negative consequences. An addiction can severely interfere with your life resulting in permanent health complications.
It is one of the most difficult challenges because absolute denial clouds their intelligence and reasoning. Recognizing the problem is the foremost step in treating the addiction and breaking the cycle of faulty thinking. Getting over a bad habit might be hard, but it is not impossible.
Symptoms Of An Addiction
There are various types of addictions such as Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco. A person experiencing addiction will show the following signs:
- Changes in Personality and Behavior like constant irritation, agitation, lack of motivation.
- Slurred Speech, Shakes, or Tremors
- Lack of Emotional response
- Change in their daily routines
- Dropping hobbies and activities
- Appetite Change
- Displaying a lack of self-control
- Noticeable changes in appearance
- Staying in denial
- Financial Problems- regular need of money
4 Stages Of Addiction
Did you know that addiction to anything spreads through stages? It varies from person to person, depending upon their brain and body’s reaction. Your response to the addictive behavior or substance at the early stage would be different from the later stage. The four-stage of addictions are as follows:
Stage 1: Experimentation
In the beginning, the person tires or engages in something out of curiosity. No one plans to get addicted and usually tries it out with a friend or family member. The one-in-a-while experience often opens the doors into the spiral of addiction. Peer Pressure is the root cause of Experimentation. They feel the pressure to test something new when they want to be accepted.
Today, kids consume the drugs offered to them to avoid being cold-shouldered and be cool in the group. Harmful substances like drugs and tobacco are presumed to relieve workplace stress, social anxiety, and other distressing life situations. So, the temptation to feel comfortable for the short-term starts growing stronger.
Stage 2: Social or Regular Use
The second stage is the road towards addiction, intended to be temporary. People often find their lives incomplete and unsatisfactory without having the substance. They fail to experience through their everyday life and feel bored.
Ironically, an activity initially started to alleviate stress, and boredom became the factor causing it. People start using their drugs in social situations as they struggle with exaggerated mood swings between their doses. Drug consumption becomes an unavoidable habit of their lifestyle.
Stage 3: Problem or Risk
With regular usage, an individual develops psychological and physical reliance on the drugs. He starts extensively using the substance with no regard for the consequences. The body stops responding and function without the intake of chemicals.
The person cannot stay sober even in a normal situation as before. He relies on his drugs. His tolerance becomes a big issue as the brain keeps asking for more, and it turns out to be unbearable without it. He even requires stronger and frequent doses to feel the relief. It creates a huge problem and a risk to the individual’s health.
Stage 4: Dependency and Tolerance
In this final stage, an individual becomes dependent on daily consumption- several times in a day. He keeps waiting for his next dose to get higher with that. The person changes after being an addict, and even if he makes up his mind to quit, he ends up disappointing himself.
An addict will skip his meals, avoid grooming, cannot possibly sleep without his drugs, and begins neglecting basic needs. Their loved ones feel miserable, but even that doesn’t stop them- due to a lack of patience and tolerance. They lose their jobs and having no income influences criminal behavior.
What To Do If You Have An Addiction?
It’s normal, if not common, to go through a period of substance abuse or compulsive behavior without realizing you are addicted to it. It is known as the pre-contemplation phase. Congratulations! You have reached the contemplation stage if you’re starting to think you might have an addiction. It is an excellent opportunity to learn more about your symptoms and obsession to get the ideal treatment.
After realizing the extent of their addiction, many decide to change their bad habits for a better life. It might be simple and manageable for some and an unpleasant experience for others. Quitting the dependency can be quite a task for the individual. Choosing the right recovery program is essential as it will determine your success. Appropriate medications, therapy, and social support groups are also great ways.
Visit out blog on How To Break Addiction: 10 Tips That Can Help.
The Takeaway
People often feel like getting over an addiction is the end of the world, and they will always have to live with shame and fear of failure. But, getting enrolled in a program or seeking help is the best reward for you. A few other helpful resources are as follows:
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