What is an Addiction?
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The most difficult challenge an addict faces is the admission that the addiction has taken control of their life and left them feeling powerless. It is also one of the most critical steps in the recovery process, and this process cannot begin until the addict decides they are ready to take control. No one else can do it for them. With anything we attempt in life, the mindset we have in our approach is critical to our success. Belief in yourself is a key factor in countering all types of addictive behavior. Having the ability to firmly believe that you are in control is the first step toward a full recovery.
An addiction is a physical and psychological dependence on something. It can be a substance or behavioral dependence. Examples of substance addictions include drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. Some common behavioral addictions include shopping, pornography, gambling, and work.
How to Recognize Addiction
Addiction is a chronic brain disorder, although it is a treatable one. People who have this disorder do not have the ability to control their desire for the object of addiction. Common signs include denial that the problem exists along with refusal to cease the behavior. The addictive personality will also rationalize the behavior. An example of this would be, "I only gamble because it helps me to relax and de-stress." The clinical definition of an addiction according to the American Psychiatric Association is "a compulsive and/or destructive behavior or usage pattern that leads to significant occupational, social, or medical impairment." Few addicts intend for the addiction to happen. Most honestly believe they will have the ability to control the behavior or substance use.
The Addiction Process
Addiction comes in a progression, but some things become entwined in a person's life much faster than others do. Nicotine is considered the most addictive drug in the world, and for the millions of smokers who would like to quit, it lives up its reputation. Nicotine may take a little longer to reach the addictive stage than some other drugs, such as crack cocaine, heroin, or crystal meth. The addiction is somewhat controlled until it finally reaches the point that it can't be hidden. Addicts often offer the explanation that there is no problem; they tell others they can quit anytime they want. Many of them even convince themselves to believe they still have power over their addiction; this denial as mentioned earlier is one of the most common symptoms of a problem. As the addiction progresses, the negative effects worsen and affect not only the addict but their family, friends, and associates. The longer they continue the substance use or addictive behavior, the higher the level of tolerance they develop, which in turn perpetuates an increase in the activity. Once the addiction reaches a certain level, the sufferer no longer has the ability to quit by themselves. Intervention is required which usually means treatment and participation in a support system.
Why Some People are Prone to Addiction
There is much controversy on why some have the power of control while others do not; some individuals are just more prone to addiction than others are. There are opinions that the addictive personality is a result of genetics, brain chemistry, or the desire to self medicate. For example, heroin can have a normalizing effect on someone suffering from hallucinations and delusions, such as a schizophrenic. Cocaine might bring temporary relief to someone suffering from depression. Sufferers of attention deficit syndrome may be convinced that cocaine use helps them focus. When an addict finally realizes that the problem has seized control of them, there is usually another stage when the denials are directed to friends and family in an attempt to hide what everyone knew before the addict was even aware.
Regaining Control
The hardest part of fighting an addiction is admitting that it has control of your life, yet it is one of the first steps that must take place before the path to healing and recovery can begin. If you are fearful of the consequences of admitting an addiction, you should understand that everyone has faults and we have to work on them if there is to be hope of resolving difficult situations. Taking the first step is essential if you want to get your life back.
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