ADdictions

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What is an addiction?

Addiction is the physiological dependance on a substance where someone is ‘addicted’ to a specific substance or activity. It’s a way the body craves the pursuit of a reward, this can be obsessive and compulsive with the lack or concern for consequences.

This video is a short introduction to what addiction, how it can be stopped and what addictions are stemmed from.

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Warning Signs of Addiction:

Shows lack of self control
Lack of emotional response
Is unable to stay away from the substance/activity or stop the addictive behaviour
Has an increased desire for the substance or activity
Disregards how their behaviour may be causing problems

situations that can trigger addiction include:

Coffee and/or caffeine
Gambling
Food (especially foods containing high saturated fats, refined sugars)
Technology and phone usage
Sex
Porn
Work / overworking yourself
Exercise
Relationships

Why didn’t I see my/or my friends addiction coming?

Addictions begin as an innocent reliance on something. A lot of adolescent addictions such as smoking or drinking alcohol are introduced through an increase in socialising at parties etc. But social smoking and drinking can progress into an addiction if there is a lot of exposure. Early abuse often uses substances such as tobacco (cigarettes), alcohol, marijuana, inhalants and prescription drugs like sleeping pills or anti-anxiety medicines; or other class C drugs. If substance abuse persists abusers typically become much more heavily involved and advance to other drugs or substances. ‘Studies have also shown that abuse of drugs in late childhood and early adolescence is associated with greater drug involvement. It is important to note that most youth, however, do not progress to abusing other drugs.’

How do I stop it?

The first step is recognizing you have a problem and wanting to make a change. Then by making active change, reaching out to someone can help make active change. It is time to take action and take back the control you have lost. Chances are that you didn’t expect or want to become addicted in the beginning. Many people who develop addictions are surprised at how difficult it is to quit in their first attempt, and end up wondering, why can’t I quit? The key is to keep trying and seek help.

As you become more addicted to something, the development of tolerance means that you need more and more to achieve the same effect over time.

How can it be prevented in the first place?

Effectively dealing with peer pressure

The biggest reason teenagers being using drugs and other substances is usually because of peer pressure from fellow teenagers. No one likes to feel left out. Trying out things they wouldn’t usually do but feel pressured into doing. It is important to stick to your morals even if your friends tell you to do something. If friends keep persisting and pushing you, it may be time to find a new group of friends that won’t pressure you into doing harmful things. Spend less time with people who abuse substance use. It may be a good idea to prepare a good reason ahead of time to keep yourself from giving into tempting situation. Or find a good and effective way to say no!

Deal with life pressures

We are often undergoing change to take on too many responsibilities, often resorting to addictive substances for a break or reward. In the moment drugs, alcohol and other addictive substances seem like a good idea but they actually make our lives much more stressful in the long run. To prevent substance use it’s important to find other ways to manage daily stresses and rewind. Limit your commitments, academic responsibilities and social outings. Your overall well-being is more important than spreading yourself too thin. Instead of falling back onto alcohol and drugs take up exercise, volunteering or read a book. Find other ways to relax and relieve stress.

Keep a well balanced life

People can resort to addictive substances when something in their life isn't working very well, or they are unhappy about the direction of their life and decisions. Take care of yourself, look at the bigger picture and make goals for the future. Ensure you are making active decisions which improve your overall well-being and have your priorities in order.

Analyse your risk factors

Does a history of substance abuse run in your family? Are you surrounded by people with addictive behaviours? It is important to be aware of you biological, social, environmental and physical risk factors. Surrounding yourself in settings where people glorify substance abuse can be a major risk factor.

Exercise Addiction

Exercising is an essential element to our physical and emotional well being, unlike other addictions people are encouraged to keep exercising but there can be harmful consequences. Exercise addiction is a compulsive disorder in which a person feels they must keep exercising without allowing time for the body to recover.

Food Addiction

Processed and junk foods can cause blood sugar imbalances and cravings, companies usually engineered to be hyperpalatable - so they taste really good. It is important to base your diet on whole, single ingredient foods to avoid an addictive like eating behaviour which certain processed foods are more likely to trigger. Dopamine (the primary neurotransmitter involved in addiction) and other feel good chemicals are produced when we eat ‘treat’ foods, which lights up the reward centre in the brain. We are all individuals and it is important to realise that.

Drugs and Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol and drug addiction are just like any other addiction, when addicted it’s hard to resist the urge to use them, despite their harmful attributes. Illegal Class A drugs (very high risk) in New Zealand include: methamphetamine, magic mushrooms, cocaine, heroin, LSD (Acid); Class B (high risk) cannabis oil, hashish, morphine, opium, ecstasy and many amphetamine-type substances and Class C (moderate risk): cannabis seed, cannabis plant, codeine. But we often forget that we can become addicted to legal drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, Opioid painkillers, panadol. Addiction is when you physically can’t stop, even if you keep trying. The urge to consume these drugs fills up most of your day, constantly worrying and thinking about it even if you want to stop. The chemicals in drugs and alcohol flood the brain with dopamine, resulting in intense pleasure. Addicts keep taking the substance to chase that high.

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