Addiction encompasses a wide range besides the obvious dependence on drugs and alcohol. When defined, addiction can be a chronic compulsion to use a substance or to take part in a certain activity regardless of its damaging effects to one’s health, mentality, spirituality and social relationships. Thus, there are two types of addiction that people in our society faces and deals with. Apart from the known continued involvement with substance use, there can also be abnormal psychological dependence with certain things.
Drug addiction, also known as substance abuse or chemical abuse, can be described as a chronic, relapsing disease that is marked by persistent drug-seeking and drug-taking behaviors. There are many types of drugs or substances that one can become addicted to. Some are from substances made legally such as alcohol, nicotine cigarettes and caffeine-based products like coffee, soda and tea. Some are illegally-obtained and can include cocaine, opiates, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana. Others get it from the prescription drugs that they are taking like Vicodin and Demerol or steal it from family members who are treated for ADHD. Performance enhancing drugs like steroid is also addicting for many athletes and body-builders.
Behavioral addiction, on the other hand, refers to compulsions that are not related to substance use. The person is unable to control or stop himself from pursuing an activity despite its obvious devastating effects. Often the activities are part of the normal routine of any individual but have been elevated to a pathological point for the addicts. Some of these include addiction to shopping, work and exercise. Food is part of our daily consumption but it can be an addiction to some who crave for it compulsively and obsessively even when they are not hungry. Recreational activities like playing cards can turn into a gambling addiction. There are also addictions related to sexuality such as porn and sex. Video game and internet addictions have also become a part of modern society today.
No matter what type, addiction is a serious disease. It is not only the physical, mental and emotional health of the addict that is affected but his surroundings, too. Relationships are broken. Families are split. Sadly, it can also turn fatal not only for the addicted individual but also to people around him as crimes can be committed under the influence of hardcore addicting substances.
Hence, people who are suffering from any of these addictions need professional help. Quitting and rising above the addictive use and behavior is a difficult process. Often finding the right rehabilitation program that befits the individual is not easy but it is very crucial to place the sufferer to the road of recovery.
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