Addiction And Addictive Behavior: 7 Signs Trouble Is Developing
To think of addiction as meaning only drugs and alcohol is a disservice, it includes much more than that alone.
Process addictions can occur in addition to chemical dependency. Compulsive behaviors can be addictions also for example: disordered eating patterns, gambling, and shopping. When active in addiction, negative consequences can happen to self and others. This brings up questions. What is addiction? How does all this get started? It is hard to discern when a pattern of behavior moves into addiction?
It is a mystery why some can use drugs or alcohol and not become addicted, while others cannot avoid it. Those who cannot stop and control their behaviors get addicted, and that is unfortunate. Addiction is possible for everyone despite ethnic, social or economic status.
There is no standard definition of an addict. There is no poster child. Though addiction has been studied for years, few researchers can agree on causes or cures. On aspect that we are sure of but is very difficult to measure is the emotional aspect of addiction. Gaining relief from uncomfortably emotions is a prime motivator for engaging in addictive behaviors. The irony is that using generates more negative emotions that require 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. Things spin out of control.
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.
Talk to somebody if any of the above symptoms are occurring. One thing all researchers and addiction professionals agree on is that addiction is progressive. Left untreated, it will get worse.
There is more information available here on addiction treatment.
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