Addiction treatment

Addiction is a chronic disorder proposed to be precipitated by a combination of genetic, biological/pharmacological and social factors. Addiction is characterized by the repeated use of substances or behaviors despite clear evidence of morbidity secondary to such use.

Addiction is a physiological dependence on something, and is both physical and psychological in nature. When the addiction is strong enough, stealing, cheating, tricking and hurting others for the purpose of getting what we crave may seem attractive.

When a person is addicted they literally need to feed that addiction constantly. People who are addicted often do not recognize that they have a problem, they think that the problem is with everyone. Addiction is different from abuse, a person can abuse drugs and not be addicted.

There is a lack of consensus as to what may properly be termed ‘addiction.’ Some within the medical community maintain a rigid definition of addiction and contend that the term is only applicable to a process of escalating drug or alcohol use as a result of repeated exposure. However, addiction is often applied to compulsive behaviors other than drug use, such as overeating, sex or gambling. In all cases, the term addiction describes a chronic pattern of behavior that continues and is perceived to be hard or impossible to quit at any time. It is quite common for an addict to express the desire to stop the behavior, but find himself or herself unable to cease.

Addiction is often characterized by an ongoing effort to use more (drug or behavior), tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms in the absence of the stimulus. Many drugs and behaviors that provide either pleasure or relief from pain pose a risk of addiction or dependency.

Types of Addictions

The most commonly known types of addiction are those to alcohol and narcotics. However, many people struggle with other types of addiction. Some of the most common addictions include:Nicotine Addictions not the smoking, but the addiction to nicotine that make’s it so hard to quit. Nicotine is an addiction that comes in many forms. Today smoking is less tolerated and those who smoke become
targets. Quitting is always an option: again and again.

Food Addiction
We’re beefing up. Sedentary behavior has taken over as we focus on the smells and experience of televised food shows. Food has become more than a compulsion. There are definite health risks.

Video Game Addiction
Video game addiction? Yes, this is one of the fastest growing types of addiction. Some folks get caught up in the world of video games and take it very seriously. The claims are the same: they can walk away any time. They just don’t choose to and become ensnared.

Internet Addiction
The increasing popularity of the Internet has been accompanied by a rise in Internet addiction. Whether people are ensnared in chat, forums, web surfing or other online pursuits, the time spent in front of the computer can escalate into addiction territory. Internet addiction is often accompanied by other types of addictions, such as an addiction to video games, porn, or online gambling.

Sex Addiction
For many people, sex is an addiction. Conquests become never-ending. The range of behaviors includes relation-hopping and mistaken addictions to what passes for love, where those affected look for love in all the wrong places and people.

Shopping Addiction
Shopping an addiction? As credit cards proliferate, plastic’s urge to spurge has become a full-blown addiction with a range of addictive behaviors. Shopping addiction affects families and relationships as well as finances and credit ratings.