DEALING WITH ADDICTION PROBLEMS- PART 1
According to Medical News Today, a web-based outlet for medical information and news, Addiction is an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior even though it may cause psychological or physical harm. The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as “a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences.
The Concept of Addiction
Addiction is a major subject of concern in our world today. Your addiction to anything makes you a slave to that thing. Inability to have control over what you like and love is simply called addiction. People with addiction engage in compulsive substance use or behaviors that persist despite harmful consequences. Not every addiction is bad which implies that we can have positive addiction and negative addiction. Positive addiction is a term used to describe a healthy habit or behavior that a person becomes positively addicted to. When you are addicted to a thing or behavior that doesn’t cost you physical or mental harm, it is referred to as positive addiction. There are people in our world addicted to reading, meditation, exercising, prayers, showing kindness, generosity, career mastery (setting and achieving goals),excellence, self development and improvement, saving money, having a healthy life style. These kind of addictions are good because the positive addict gains mental strength which he uses to help himself accomplish whatever he tries to do more successfully Positive addiction is especially valuable because it is a way in which anyone by himself can increase his strength.
It therefore becomes a problem when addiction is negative and this is what we are concentrating on in this article. Negative addiction comprises of so many things and the addicted person is vulnerable of further mental health problems. Negative addiction refers to a compulsive dependence on activities or substances that have harmful effects on an individual’s physical, mental, or emotional well-being. It often contribute to a cycle of negative consequences and can be detrimental to one’s overall quality of life.
Addiction problems comprises of;
Compulsive Gambling:
There are gamblers and there are gamblers but when one begins to gamble to the level of using his personal savings, entire salary, money meant for school fees and house rent, properties, e.t.c it is established as a serious problem indeed. Excessive and uncontrollable gambling can result in financial, emotional, and social problems. It is a behavioral addiction characterized by an inability to control or resist the urge to gamble, despite negative consequences. It’s considered a mental health disorder and can have serious implications for a person’s financial, emotional, and social well-being. Persons experiencing this kind of addiction is prone to borrowing or stealing, loss of gambling control, restlessness and inability, using gambling as a stress relief mechanism, and possibly strained relationship with family, friends or colleagues due to neglect, deceit or financial problems.
Substance Use Addiction
Substance use addiction, commonly known as substance abuse disorder or addiction, is a complex and chronic condition characterized by the compulsive seeking, continued use, and inability to control the use of a substance despite harmful consequences. This condition significantly impacts an individual’s physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. It can be categorized into use psychoactive substances such as alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes and illicit drugs. This addiction problem is classified dangerous because it leads to loss of control over usage, intense, persistent cravings, psychological dependence, withdrawal from social activities and relationships, failed attempt to quit, loss of interest in other activities and neglect of responsibilities such as work school or family obligations. Persons faced with this addiction problem engage in risky behaviors to obtain the substance such as driving under the influence or compromising personal safety.
Internet/Social Media Addiction
This refers to excessive and compulsive use of online platforms to the extent that it interferes with daily life, work, and relationships. While the internet and social media can provide valuable connections and information, problematic usage can have negative consequences on mental health and well-being. Have you ever encountered a situation where you each time you try having a meaningful conversation with a friend or partner and all he or she does is to be glued to his phone through the entire time of the supposed conversation, the person is obviously addicted to the contents in his phone. There are persons that say its better you take their life than collect their smart phones, some come out saying they can die if they lack access to their smart phones, these are possible signs of addiction. This type of addiction thrives when the addict begins to spend excessive time online, inability to control internet and social media use, use social media or internet as an escape route to real life problems and emotions, neglecting work, school and household responsibilities, exhibiting compulsive checking of contents and updates, experience irritability, anxiety or distress when unable to access the internet of social media.
Pornorgraphy Addiction
This which is also known as compulsive sexual behavior or problematic pornography use, is a condition characterized by an individual’s inability to control or reduce their consumption of sexually explicit materials, leading to negative consequences in various areas of life. It can have significant impacts on mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Pornography addiction is so deep that persons experiencing it are found in all works of life from students in schools to workers in work place. Persons facing this addiction problem are prone to compulsive use, loss of control, distress and anxiety and isolation. Addressing pornography addiction often involves a combination of self-awareness, support from loved ones, and professional help.
Frederick Abiola-Cudjoe
Frederick Abiola Cudjoe is a blogger, content creator who is in service to Arogi Trauma Care Foundation. He is solution driven and result oriented. He has a strong passion to always make clients have the best customer service experience.
