An addiction is a physical and psychological dependence on a psychoactive substance such as alcohol, drugs or tobacco. An addiction involves a craving, denial, harm to personal relationships or work relationships, a lack of control, a reward and relief cycle, substance tolerance leading to increased intake in order to achieve a high, withdrawal symptoms, relapse, and remission. Other types of addictions include Addiction to Love and Sex, Food Addiction, Gambling Addiction, and Shopping Addiction.

 

Symptoms of Addictions

There may be three progressive phases to addiction. The first phase, experimentation. The second phase, regular use, which may be contributed to by substance induced euphoria, tension relief, or stress relief. The third phase, dependency. A person with an addiction may alter their life so it centres around their addiction. The symptoms of an addiction may include financial problems, isolation, powerlessness, personal relationship problems, physical problems, shame, and work relationship problems.

 

Causes of Addictions

Addictions may be self medication for or an escape from an underlying issue. Addictions may be related to adolescence, anxiety, bipolar disorder, bulimia disorder, childhood issues, depression, identity issues, life stresses and difficulties, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), panic disorder, Personality Disorders (PD), schizophrenia, low self esteem, or sexual abuse. Risk factors for addictions may include poverty, unemployment, or a lack of education. An addiction may persist until an impassable crisis occurs.

 

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