This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at NCSU chapter.
ADDICTION. What does it even really mean?? What are its causes, effects, and how can you prevent it?
Addiction can be defined as physical and psychological dependence on psychoactive substances. However, one must understand that there are a lot of different kinds of addictions. Addictions usually are started by some kind of pleasure or enjoyment from an activity, which quickly becomes a need, rather than a want. Addiction is a brain disease, which may be, scientists say, caused by genetic and biological traits. It is, however, mostly shaped by a person’s environment.
Things people can get addicted to:
-Alcohol
-Drugs
-Food
-Coffee
-Gambling
-Cutting
-Sex
-Computers
-Internet
-Work
-Exercise
-Video games
-Idolizing
-And even Love.
Now, you must be wondering how love can possibly become a drug? Well think about it… Love makes someone happy… but if you happen to be in a bad relationship, you may become dependent on love, attention, even if it is a bad kind. It can also happen with good love, to where two persons become dependant on each other, which then become very similar to what an addiction is.
Here are some signs of an addiction:
Psychological signals:
-Use of drugs or alcohol as a way to forget problems or to relax
-Withdrawal or keeping secrets from family and friends
-Loss of interest in activities that used to be important
-Problems with schoolwork, such as slipping grades or absences
-Changes in friendships, such as hanging out only with friends who use drugs
-Ppending a lot of time figuring out how to get drugs
-Stealing or selling belongings to be able to afford drugs
-Failed attempts to stop taking drugs or drinking
-Anxiety, anger, or depression
-Mood swings
Physical signals:
-Changes in sleeping habits
-Feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop
-Needing to take more of the substance to get the same effect
-Changes in eating habits, including weight loss or gain
If you know someone that you think has some kind of addiction, they may need help. Unfortunately, it’s not something that is easy to overcome.
Here are some tips to recover from the addiction:
1. You must want to stop. Without the desire, there will be no results.
2. Once you have decided that you want to stop your addiction, tell the people
you love (friends and family) that you want to get better.
3. Ask them to be available to you in case you need support.
4. Accept invitations to events that will not involve the thing you are addicted
to. (Example- addicted to food, try and not go out to eat with friend; addicted
to alcohol- no parties…)
5. Have a plan and a goal for yourself each day or each week so you feel
accomplished every time you reach that goal.