Addiction

What is addiction and how does it arise?

The essence of addiction is the loss of control over the use of a substance or behavior. It takes place at the physiological level, at the level of thinking and behavior. It is accompanied by an uncontrollable desire, a withdrawal state, and an inability to stop and end addictive behavior. The causes of addiction are very complex. It is most often a complex combination of physiological (whether innate or acquired), psychological and sociocultural factors.

What does one get addicted to?

Addiction syndrome may be present for a specific substance (eg alcohol), a class of substances (eg opioids) or a wider range of different substances. These are most often addictions to alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs (marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin…) and drugs (sedatives, hypnotics, opioid analgesics). Addiction to gambling is considered an addictive and impulsive disorder.

However, the practice of treating these disorders is treated in a very similar way to an object-specified addiction. Neurobiological research is increasingly proving that both psychoactive substances and gambling stimulate neurobiological systems and the dopamine reward system in similar ways, which is attributed a primary role in the development and maintenance of addiction.

How can I tell I’m addicted? What are the symptoms of addiction?

The main features of addiction include craving, an irresistible desire that forces us to use the substance or performing activities that bring us a pleasant state. Furthermore, it is a withdrawal condition that causes unpleasant moments when the substance is not available to us. There are difficulties in self-control, when we can not control the amount of substance used, or the beginning and end of use or play. As tolerance grows, we must use increasing amounts of a chemical to obtain the desired state.

We gradually abandon commitments, pleasures, and other interests in favor of the substance or game in question. Finally, we discover that we continue to use the substance despite clear proof of its harmfulness that we are aware of or are exposed to through our environment.

How to get rid of addiction?

If an individual is interested in getting rid of addiction, motivation is essential. He or she needs to realize what the negative addiction brings him or her, at the same time what benefits it will bring him or her if he or she starts abstinence. If we want to get rid of addiction, change is essential. The change is not only in the fact that we stop using or playing a certain addictive substance. Abstinence is a necessary condition, but alone it is not enough and does not guarantee life satisfaction. It is important to make changes in other areas of life as well. In this regard, it is sometimes necessary to look for professionals who can help with this, a doctor-psychiatrist, addictologist, psychotherapist, social worker and others.

How does psychotherapy help with addiction?

Psychotherapy assists in achieving the change needed to develop the potential for positive mental health. The goals of psychotherapy correspond to a specific focus. In terms of addiction it can be such as complete recovery, relief or reduction of symptoms, behavioral adjustment, improvement of psychosocial adaptation, support of growth and maturation, coping,  and solving life problems and crises.

Test yourself

If you drink alcohol at risk, you should test yourself. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a test aimed at early detection of risky alcohol use. Simply answering ten questions will reveal an answer that you may share with your therapist or doctor.