Addiction & Substance Abuse

What Addiction?

Addiction is a very complex disease, often chronic in nature, which affects the functioning of both the brain and body. It also causes serious damage to career, families and other close relationships. Addiction is the continued need (whether reall or perceived) for something to such an extent that you cannot do without it. Therefore, the most effective measure of whether someone is addicted or not is voluntary, trouble–free abstinance.

So What is Substance Abuse?

Substance abuse may, in itself, be addiction but this is not always the case. Many individuals who abuse a substance may not be addicted to it, but they will eventually become so if continued abuse occurs. The measure for addictive predisposition is the same as cited above — Try stopping and abstain for a month, if after a few days you are twitching then this is a fairly good indicator that you are either addicted or well on your way to becoming so.

What Forms of Addiction Are There?

There are many things that individuals can become addicted to. Alcohol, Recreational Drugs, Gambling, Sex, Food and Technology are just a few examples. In terms of technology, if you do not switch your phone off at night to recharge it or, you cannot go a single day without checking it then this is a fair indicator that there is, at the very least, a dependency issue at play.

Taking Back Control

All addictions are about losing control. Often we refuse to accept that there is an addiction at all or that it is as severe as it actually is. Dealing with addiction is about regaining control in our lives and re–empowering ourselves. Sometimes we deal with addiction all by ourselves and without someone elses help or support, but this is a rare thing and the journey is made much easier and much less painful with the help and support of others.