When we hear addiction, the first things that comes to mind are illicit drugs and neurons stimulants like tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, heroine and the likes. Addiction is much more than that.
Addiction can be defined as the psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a substance or a drug or performing an activity despite the fact that it is causing harm. This is usually due to the rewarding effect gotten from the particular action.
ADDICTION IS COMMONLY DIVIDED INTO:
1. Substance addiction, illicit drugs and neurostimulants such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, heroine fall under this category, so also does coffee and YES! SUGAR!
Picture of a man addicted to sugar and cereals.
(Image credit: Google Image)
2. Behavioural addiction, where we can be addicted to food and eating, our mobile phones and social media, exercise, gambling, sex, pornography and masturbation and amazingly love and relationships and so on.
Can we see how broad addiction is now?
The physiology of addiction. The mesolimbic dopamine system is thought to be responsible for feelings of wellbeing and pleasure associated with reward and positive reinforcement and so has been linked to addiction.
HOW DO I KNOW I’M SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION?
1.The activity continues or substance is used in larger amounts or for a longer period of time than was originally intended.
2. There is the desire and effort to reduce or totally stop use which is commonly unsuccessful.
3. Pursuit of the substance or activity or recovery from its use is time consuming.
4. There is a strong desire and craving to use the substance or participate in the activity.
5. Use of the substance or activity disturbs normal day to day activities
6. Use of the substance or activity continues despite problems it causes, problems could be social, family, physical or psychological or interpersonal.
7. Participation in important social, work, or recreational activities reduces or stops totally.
8. Use occurs in situations where it is physically risky.
9. Tolerance occurs, meaning an increased amount of the substance is needed to achieve desired effects.
10. Withdrawal occurs, there are physical or psychological symptoms when the substance is not taken.
The severity of the condition is gauged by the number of symptoms present. The presence of two to three symptoms generally indicates a mild condition; four to five symptoms indicate a moderate disorder. When six or more symptoms are present, the condition is considered severe. We can also look out for the symptoms in friends and family so as to know when to get help.
Addiction has been linked to several complications including depression, anxiety, increased suicide rates and the direct effects of the substance abused. Whenever we notice addiction, the first and most important action is to seek help.
Image: Lapencia Fotolia
Reference: Psychologytoday
Joseph Odeyemi is a highly passionate and motivated medical doctor with a major interest in preventive medicine. He is driven by a keen need to target paediatric public health challenges associated with malnutrition and vaccine-preventable illnesses. He looks forward to harnessing his medical expertise to provide equitable and accessible healthcare to children in Africa, particularly Nigeria. A curious mind with an ardent love for history and football, Joseph is results-oriented, collaborative and excited about new learning opportunities. He graduated top of his class in medical school, spent the next year doing his mandatory 1-year internship at Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta and has since immersed himself into public health practice.
