Understanding the Different Forms of Addiction
While many people associate the word addiction with substance use, there are many other forms of addiction. Regardless of what the addiction is, it can ultimately cause harm to somebody's mental and physical health. Additionally, addiction of any kind can wreak havoc on a person's relationships, friendships, and work/home life.
The basic premise of addiction, regardless of the cause, is the same. It's an all-controlling urge to partake, use, or access something. Each different addiction will have its own set of symptoms and signs. Our focus today is to review just a few different forms of addiction.
Understanding the Different Forms of Addiction
Substance Use
We'll start with the first type of addiction most people are familiar with —substance abuse. When someone struggles with substance abuse, they are addicted to either alcohol, recreational, or hard drugs. The impact of any substance use is profound. Substance abuse, most notably, will impact somebody and their:
Finances
Personal relationships
Physical health
Mental health
Gambling
A gambling addiction is more common than you may be led to believe. Many states are relaxing their betting and gambling restrictions. In addition, online gambling is becoming a widely popular option due to the ease of access it allows.
We live in a society where finances are tight for virtually everyone. However, just the prospect of spending some money and getting a lot in return is tantalizing for many people. Like many other forms of addiction, gambling can provide instant gratification if money is won. In return, it causes someone to continuously reach for this very real high, caused in part by dopamine.
Internet Addiction
We are living in a world that is more connected than ever before.
The internet is everywhere. It's accessible on our phones, TVs, tablets, laptops, and, in some cases, even our refrigerators or thermostats. The internet itself can be very addictive. After all, it's extremely easy to pick up your phone and endlessly scroll through funny, inspirational, or informational videos. All of these things aren't bad in moderation. However, it becomes a problem when somebody becomes so dependent on the internet for happiness or satisfaction.
We are seeing this more frequently with younger generations, who have grown up with internet access right at their fingertips. Social media, especially, is fueling an addiction to the internet.
These are only just a few of the different types of addiction, but they are three of the most common ones. Now, the more important question is, what causes addiction, and can you overcome it?
What Causes Addiction?
There are no singular causes that can contribute to addiction. It's a complex subject that includes many different factors. Each of the above will have its own factors that cause the addiction to form.
Often, genetics and environment will play a huge role in addiction. The basic foundation of addiction, however, is that, in some way, it causes a release of feel-good endorphins such as dopamine. Many seek small moments to help us feel okay and calm in an increasingly stressful and harsh world. Unfortunately, many people will use unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as gambling or substances, to deal with stress.
Can You Recover From Addiction?
Absolutely. Regardless of what type of addiction has formed, there is always hope for recovery. Will it be hard to break an addiction? Yes. Addiction is a learned behavior that often grows deep roots in every area of a person's life. Even though it is challenging to break the cycle, it is always within reach.
The best way to begin the process of addiction recovery is to reach out for addiction counseling. With our support, we can provide mental health and external resources to help you on your journey.
