The Psychology of Addiction

On why addiction is largely a state of the mind so addicts are more addicted to their addiction, the temporary feeling of pleasure, rather than the drugs...

Addiction is primarily psychological although addiction is defined according to the physiological changes in the body, and addiction continues to be considered as a social, cultural, genetic and experiential process as well. Addictive behaviour could be explained as any behaviour that gives temporary or short term pleasure and also provides relief from discomfort although there may be long term adverse effects.

Addiction is generally described as dependence on any drug and results from substance abuse. Any drug or alcohol can produce addiction as can other things such as the internet, gaming, gadgets, chocolates etc. However the physical and psychological effects of drugs and alcohol are detrimental and actually result in loss of productivity, withdrawal and physical dependence and lack of attention and such other conditions. The primary feature of addiction is dependence as an individual shows increased psychological and physiological dependence on the substance he is addicted to and without the addictive substance the person is unable to return to normal life.

Dependence on anything may not be too bad and some amount of social dependence is expected of us as social beings. However when there is excessive dependence with inability to live without the substance in question, then withdrawal symptoms result and there are physiological changes in the body including pain and in some cases medical attention is required. Addiction is an extreme dependence and can cause people to lose sense of reality as people become cripple without the substance they are addicted to. Addiction leads to crime and anti-social behaviour as addicts can resort to violent behaviour, to stealing, to murder simply to attain what they want. Addiction to a substance could be separated from healthy use of the substance such as some amount of alcohol is considered acceptable and healthy in a social setting but being completely dependent on alcohol to that which amounts to addiction can have adverse social and personal implications for the individual. Some of the common addictive drugs and substances are opium, alcohol, nicotine and barbiturates. Giving up any addiction, requires strength and this is largely the strength of the mind that aids in stopping any addictive behaviour. Thus if addiction is a disease, the cure of addiction or even its prevention is largely a psychological process suggesting that the 'mind' is responsible for the addiction, the beginning of it and also the end of it.

Using addictive substances stimulate and release the pleasure inducing neurotransmitters in the brain and the dependence on this feeling of pleasure leads to more such pleasure seeking behaviour and this can spiral out of control and doesn't remain within the control of the individual who then is completely controlled by his addiction rather than the other way round. Withdrawal or abstinence symptoms of an addictive substance could include anxiety, depression, craving, irritability, restlessness or even thoughts of suicide with fatal consequences. Craving, irritability, depression, anxiety are all psychological withdrawal symptoms of addiction although closely related to the physical withdrawal symptoms. So addiction is largely in the mind and if a person wants, he or she can overcome this extreme dependence on an activity or a substance through self control and with better insight into his condition.

Why do people develop addiction?

People who develop addiction are more prone to mental illnesses as addiction has been related to mood or affective disorders, to neurotic illnesses and obsessive disorders, to anxiety disorders and many other psychological problems. Addiction is largely akin to compulsion or the need to repeat any particular behaviour in an abnormal dependent manner and addiction like compulsion is an abnormal dependence. Addicts are obsessed with the substance or objects or activity that they are addicted to and show an abnormal dependence on the substance or activity. Individuals with mood disorders or people prone to frequent depression are prone to addiction as any addictive substance or drug or even activity such as sex that gives short term pleasure can cause the addict to return to this activity or substance again and again so that the depression is forgotten for a while. This need for short term pleasure leads to repeated pleasure seeking behaviour and thus creates addiction.

All human beings are necessarily pleasure seekers, we all like to experience that is good or beautiful or provides a moment of happiness but addicts are in turn addicted to this pleasure as well. In fact addicts are addicted to the pleasure and not to the drugs, which are simply catalysts to provide them this pleasure. The drugs and the objects as also the activities that they repeatedly engage in provide them a solace that they feel they would not find in other options. There are of course chemical changes in the body so there are substantive proofs that addicts do get short term pleasure. Thus a drug addict repeated uses drug because it provides a particular form of pleasure that he will not get by say watching films and a sex addict repeatedly seeks sex because the pleasure from sex according to her may not be found in other activities such as travelling or reading. However this is only a belief that the addict has and is not necessarily true. In fact there is a sort of fixation of want, and an obsession with the object of want so an addict repeatedly thinks about this want and convinces himself that without the addictive substance he will not be able to survive. When love becomes an addiction, it can lead to suicide or fatal consequences when the object of desire is not attained.

Addicts are thus obsessed and largely depressed individuals who sometimes use the obsession against the depression or to overcome the depression. They are socially withdrawn although they may apparently have a huge circle of friends with whom they may not be able to relate at all levels. Addicts are also susceptible to suggestion and they are vulnerable to opinions of other people. Strange that it may sound, it is easy to mould or change addicts and also easy to hypnotize them as they are very impressionable and easily affected by what people and society have to say about them. This weakness of addicts is also their strength as both negative and positive influences can act equally well on addicts and the right guidance would be necessary to show them what is good for them and what is bad.

How is addiction controlled and stopped?

Stopping or overcoming any addiction could be a challenge but as addicts are changeable and affected easily, it may be relatively easy to bring them back to normal life provided they have the right type of guidance and counselling.

One of the strategies that could be used to cure addictive behaviour would be 'diversion', providing alternative substances/activities or shifting their attention or interest into something other than the addictive substance or object. As a TV addict could be encouraged to develop more constructive habits of reading for instance.

'Substitution' would be another method and a person addicted to alcohol could be encouraged to take a drink that tastes like wine but does not contain alcohol.

'Eradication' or complete unavailability of the addictive substance or object can gradually lead to forgetting the pleasure giving substance and interests in other activities. The complete unavailability of a drug, even a sleeping pill can lead to lessening of addiction for that drug and help the addict to develop other interests, although this should not be done abruptly as physiological and psychological symptoms of withdrawal may result. So if someone is addicted to a specific medicine or pill, the doses could be slowly reduced before completely stopping intake of the drug.

Finally 'suggestion' or counselling to change behaviour highlighting the bad effects of a drug or an obsessive activity could be effective at a later stage after withdrawal from the drug or activity has been attempted as when in need of any substance, addicts lose all sense of reality and may not even want to listen to advice. So, only when their dependence reduces to an extent with the help of the other methods of substitution, eradication or diversion, counselling could help them to show more reasonable and socially responsible behaviour and prevent further conditions of relapse.

Reflections in Psychology - Part I - by Saberi Roy (2009)
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Quit Smoking Symptoms Online

There comes a time in our lives when we know deep down that it is time to quit smoking. I mean logically we know that smoking is unhealthy for us, we also know scientifically that the effects of smoking cigarettes have both long and short term health disasters associated with the habit, yet many of us smokers still continue to chug away.

Hypnotherapy, deep breathing exercises as well as drinking large amounts of water is also known to reduce some of the symptoms of quitting smoking. There are some herbal remedies from essential oils to eating particular herbs, seeds or nuts that can also reduce a number of the symptoms. A change in your diet might aid you in more ways than one. Consulting your doctor or physician would be recommended especially if you choose to quit smoking with medication or you may find yourself experiencing another lot of side effects from the medication not to mention the general quit smoking symptoms, therefor consulting your doctor or physician should be at the top of your list.

With any addiction, symptoms or side effects are imminent, it's just the way it goes, but if you could look into the future exactly one month from now, knowing that you made the right decision, knowing that you gave it everything you had to quit smoking whilst overcoming the symptoms of quitting would you smile, I'm guessing absolutely!

In the past I tried to quit several times to date, with every attempt, I have experienced a number of different symptoms whilst I attempted to quit such as:

Anxiety

Lack of concentration

Increased appetite

Continuous coughing

Insomnia

Dehydration

Although these symptoms may seem too much for a smoker to bear, let me tell you first hand that it's worth every second and every minute if you are able to successfully quit. There are a number of quit smoking products on the market that will help alleviate some of these symptoms however as mentioned above facing up to each quit smoking symptom is something you will have to bear as each day passes by. But on a brighter note it will get easier if you use the right products or system.

Fortunately there is a quit smoking system that may be able to alleviate not only one of the above quite smoking systems but all of them for you. Stop being a prisoner to those cigarettes and make the positive change in your life today. Take a proactive step forward and quit smoking in the next five minutes with the successful Easy Quit System.

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Alcoholism Withdrawal - Withdrawal Symptoms Associated With Alcohol Addiction

In hindsight, and only after recovering from acute alcoholism, it may seem easy to have recovered from an alcohol addiction. However while you are fighting alcoholism, and going through the withdrawal symptoms. you will feel as though it is one of the most difficult challenges of your life. In most cases, it is.

Entering the fight against alcohol addiction requires an honest knowledge and understanding of what you are up against, the challenges that lie ahead of you. Regardless of what anybody else tells you, fighting alcoholism is not as easy as just not drinking anymore.

Emotional Withdrawal Symptoms Associated with Alcoholism

Even in an acute alcoholism, the following alcoholism symptoms can be overwhelming, though mild compared to the alcohol withdrawal symptoms in a more severe case of alcohol addiction.

Feeling nervous or jumpy
Anxiety
Extremely irritable, and/or easily excited
Constantly moody, with rapid and frequent mood changes
Difficulty thinking clearly or focusing
Suffering bad dreams
Depression
Fatigue or exhaustion


In a more severe case of alcoholism, the preceding symptoms will occur as well as:

A state of confusion
Extreme agitation


Physical Withdrawal Symptoms Associated with Alcoholism

Those fighting a severe case of alcoholism withdrawal will experience much more pain than a person recovering from an acute alcoholism. To be blunt, the sooner you fight alcohol addiction the better. However, it is never too late, because none of the withdrawal symptoms are as bad as what a life of alcohol addiction will put you through.

Frequent headaches
Sweating, particularly in the palms and face
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Paleness
Increased heart rate
Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
Enlarged or dilated pupils


In a fight against more a more severe addiction to alcohol, one will also be likely to suffer:

Hallucinations
Fevers (dangerously high temperatures)
Black outs
Convulsions


Understanding Alcoholism Symptoms of Withdrawal

Knowing what you're up against can help you make an informed decision on forming a strategy to fight an addiction to alcohol. The bottom line is that withdrawal symptoms alone can often be a trigger to start drinking again, and no ground will be covered.

An alcohol rehab center is the only place to attempt withdrawing from alcohol. Detoxifying completely is only the first step, and even if you can make it through the withdrawal symptoms without the assistance of a professional medical staff to help you ease your way through the battle where will you go from there?

Beyond the Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcoholism

Beneath the surface of alcoholism, and inability to quit successfully without professional guidance, there is at least one hidden trigger that has led you to the road of alcohol addiction. Fighting your way through the withdrawal symptoms of alcoholism is the first step. Next, you need to seek ongoing counseling, to find the trigger(s) and work through that. Even if you decide to quit drinking on your own, without seeking the help of a detox center, you should see a counselor that can work with you to turn down a different path towards a better life, free of addiction.

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Sexual Addiction Symptoms

Another serious addiction that can cause irreparable harm to a person's life is sexual addiction. Sexual addiction has been defined as "engaging in persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behavior acted out despite increasing negative consequences to self and others" by the National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity.

Sexual addiction works much like any other addiction, in that a person has to continually intensify the behavior in order to keep achieving the same level of satisfaction they experienced when the addiction first began. The major difference between an addiction to something like drugs or alcohol and an addiction to sex is that sex is a normal, often required, healthy human activity. Consuming drugs and alcohol is not. A person suffering from this problem will often see their lives go down the tubes because of it, losing money, relationships, and even ending up behind bars when their addiction pushes them to commit illegal activities. Many sex offenders are sex addicts, though not all of them, and not all sex addicts become sex offenders. Some sex addicts do not allow their obsession to take them beyond compulsory masterbation, internet porn, and phone sex services. Nonetheless, even these activities can create serious problems in a relationship and in the addict's finances.

Some of the symptoms of sex addiction include a person who feels continually compelled to seek out multiple sexual partners, becomes fixated on an unattainable partner, uses a string of partners for sexual satisfaction, masterbates compulsively, and becomes compulsively involved in love and sexual relationships. The addict will often continue to participate in dangerous sexual behaviors despite health and financial risks, the destruction of close relationships, and the possibility of imprisonment. Legal issues can occur when a sex addict begins to partake in activities such as indecent exposure in public, attempting to spy on people in their bedrooms, making obscene phone calls, or committing sexual assaults. Sex addicts whose criminal impulses are beyond their control often have to be kept imprisoned in order to keep them away from society.

The good news is that there are resources that exist to help sex addicts overcome their addiction. There are outreach groups such as Sex Addicts Anonymous. A sex addict only need speak to their doctor to get a recommendation for counseling and therapy. One of the most important devices for any addict to overcome their issue is to have a good support network. Family members and friends are almost always willing to do whatever they can to help a loved one beat an addiction. For an addict to have a person to call on when they are feeling weak who can help them stay strong is such a powerful tool. No one is expected to fight the demons of addiction alone, and there are many resources out there who can and will help.

To read more about symptoms and how to overcome drug, alcohol, or pornography addiction then visit the comprehensive addiction site.

Accidental Addiction to Pharmaceutical Drugs

Whenever a person suffers from any kind of ailment, he or she goes for painkillers to suppress the pain. Sometimes they consult the doctor and sometimes they do not. Taking these painkillers without consulting the doctor is the worst mistake any person commits. Use of painkillers for quite a long time without consulting the doctor often result to physical and mental dependence on it. Gradually this leads to addiction to painkillers. A lot of unfortunate cases of accidental opiate addiction have been reported. Whatever the reason of addiction is, the result is the same devastating. It ruins the life of the victim, if proper steps are not taken.

People suffering from certain ailments are often prescribed with strong painkillers. But, the level of dosage is very low. The tolerance levels of different people are different; people with high tolerance often get immune to the initial dosage of painkillers. After which they increase the dosage of the painkiller without consulting the doctor. Gradually they keep increasing the dosage of the painkillers. Slowly, after prolonged usage of the painkillers, the people get physically and mentally dependent on these medicines which results to addiction to painkillers.

The painkillers addicts always try to isolate themselves from other people and even family members. They try to hide their medicines from others and when they get out of stock, they consult the doctor reporting for fake ailments. The doctor without knowing prescribes them with more painkillers. Since, the painkillers are not illegal, the addicts do not find difficult to get them from any medical store.

Addiction to painkillers can only be stopped if the addicted person is admitted in a painkiller rehab. There is no other way to cure the person. If the person even tries to cure himself at home, there is no chance of getting success. The withdrawal effects of painkiller addiction are too much painful, as a result of which the person gets back to the addiction when the withdrawal effects show up. The painkiller addicts need extra care during this time to overcome the pain of the withdrawal effects.

This care can only be provided in a painkiller rehab. The medical staffs of the well renowned painkiller rehab are highly experienced; they know the exact way that can help the patient to get rid of the addiction. The immense care and comfort provided by these medical staffs are very effective for the complete cure of the drug addicted person.

Most drug rehabilitation centers cannot provide this facility of care and comfort, as a result of which the patients often run away from the rehabs being unable to tolerate the pain. Every opiate rehab should be situated at a discrete location far away from city life and should also provide enough comfort. A calm and soothing environment catalysis the treatment process and makes it very fast and easy. The patients need extreme comfort during the detoxification process so that they can find some peace to calm down their wild mind.

Cliffside Malibu is a luxury alcohol and painkillers addiction located in Malibu, California. For further detail please click opiates withdrawal.

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Helping a Heroin Addict - How to Get Clean

One of the first questions I often get from heroin users is: "Is it really possible to end this addiction or will I be a drug addict for the rest of my life?"

The story in the UK in the field of drug rehab, is that heroin addicts are just not getting the help that they need and deserve. A drug addict is a person too. Friends and loved ones who once had hopes and inspirations.

This is failed help! How often did someone fail to help you or rather, betray you in its place?

The drug pusher tells you that the drug will help you feel better, have fun, be uninhibited, relax, act as a pain killer - but this is not help, this is betrayal. Drugs lead to addiction lead to ruined lives and a living hell. Just ask an addict.

A heroin addict can be anyone - dads, mums, contractors, lawyers, salespeople, musicians, engineers, bankers, shop owners, sons, daughters, children - heroin addicts are regular people caught in a trap.

It is so easy these days with the various forms of heroin available that it is no longer the old image of a junky with a needle in their arm. Today many addicts I speak to across the UK do not inject heroin they smoke or sniff or snort it.

Is there a way out of the trap of addiction? Many now believe that help is not possible but remember that maybe just today, you helped someone or someone helped you. Help is possible.

How to Get Clean - Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is - to restore or bring to a condition of health or useful and constructive activity AND to restore to a former state or capacity. This can be done with the heroin addict and obviously does not include alternate drug substitutes as an answer.

How To Get Clean - The Cause of Drug Cravings?

When you drink continuously or use drugs the body becomes super-saturated with metabolites (chemicals the body converts the drugs or alcohol into). These metabolites may become trapped in the fatty tissues and remain there for years. When released into the bloodstream they trigger drug and alcohol cravings. How do these drug metabolites get released? A simple jog to catch the bus, dancing, a hot day anything that gets your blood pumping. Your veins are surrounded by fatty tissue and so it doesn't take much. Suddenly you feel the urge to use, feel high, feel foggy, confused, dull, or simply focussed on nothing other than getting a fix.

How To Get Clean - Eliminating Drug Cravings

The right program will actually consist of detoxification as part of the rehabilitation. Meaning actually removing the poison (drug) or poisonous effect from the body. This is being achieved everyday. The result is a person free of drug and alcohol cravings, reduction or elimination of other addiction symptoms like depression, irritability, fatigue. Also, a regained ability to think more clearly, improved memory and attention span, increased energy and sense of well being and the kicker - Enthusiasm toward life!

A UK Success Story of Getting Clean

"I have completed the sauna program and without any doubts or reservations, I believe that my body and my mind feel cleansed. Physically I am stronger, no longer lethargic and so much more alert. Mentally, I am in fantastic shape and able to learn. The process of detoxification is something that I have needed for such a long time. My potential could never be truly fulfilled without mental clarity and physical strength, both of which I believe have been restored to me as a result of completing this part of the course. All my dreams and aspirations suddenly feel much more achievable. I can't remember when I last had such a positive outlook on life." J.D.

Would you like to help a loved one end addiction? Go to: http://www.detox-narconon.org

Paula Dewar is a professional rehab consultant and refers clients to Drug-free Detox and Rehab Programs which End Addiction for Life. Paula speaks English and Portuguese.

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