Addiction Thesis
Addiction Thesis
Addiction is the compulsion to do something. There are two major types of addiction mental/psychological and physical/chemical.
I) Physical dependency ~ Is when a person has a chemical addiction to something normally to induce pleasure. Often the substance has withdrawal effects. After some time the substance is used to relieve the anxiety caused by the absence of the chemical. People explain that coming off the “high” makes them feel so low that they want more just to feel normal.
A) Alcohol ~Approximately 14 million Americans (7.4%) suffer from alcohol abuse or addiction.
Alcoholism can:
1) Reduce life expectancy by 10 to 15 years.
2) Destroy brain cells, possibly leading to brain damage.
3) Hinders the ability to retrieve, consolidate, and process information.
4) Can affect cognitive abilities.
5) Interfere with the oxygen supply of the brain causing a blackout when totally drunk.
6) Inflame or cause cancer in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach.
7) Produce irregular heartbeats, high-blood pressure, and heart attacks.
8) Harm vision.
9) Damage sexual function.
10) Can cause skin and pancreatic disorders, weaken the bones and muscles.
Most alcoholics struggle with it their entire life. Even one drink can cause an alcoholic to become addicted even if they have been sober for twenty years.
B) Nicotine ~ This addictive drug found in tobacco gives a person pleasure and euphoria by increasing the levels of dopamine within the reward circuits in the brain. It causes a discharge of epinephrine which stimulates the central nervous system and endocrine glands, which causes a sudden release of glucose. Although more addictive then cocaine and heroin the withdrawals are less severe. 70.3 million people in the US use some form of nicotine at least once a month.
The following can occur with the addiction.
1) Cancer (mouth, lungs, throat, gums, tongue)
2) Cardiovascular diseases
3) Respiratory diseases
4) Pregnancy problems
5) Can cause anger, hostility, and aggression.
Effects of nicotine can last up to a year after quitting. Nicotine can be addicted from one use.
C) Illegal Drugs (Cocaine, Heroin, Speed etc) 19.5 million people over the age of 12 use illegal drugs in the US. 19,000 die each year because of illegal drug use. Cause psychoactive effects and vary depending on the drug on the side effects.
D) Caffeine ~ You get it in soda and coffee.
E) Physiological tolerance drugs ~ Non addictive but abused includes laxatives, antidepressants, and nasal decongestants.
Normal treatments might include medical substitutes, psychological, behavioral, and social help. If you have an addiction and want to quit talk to your doctor. Only he can make a schedule for you to your unique situation.
II) Psychological dependency ~ dependency of the mind, that can have psychological withdrawal symptoms. Cravings, irritability, insomnia, depression, anorexia, anger can all be symptoms to name a few. Often people have emotional and social interaction problems.
A) Gambling
B) Internet addiction disorder
C) Computer addiction
D) Online Gaming (such as WoW, D&D online etc)
E) Sexual addiction (compulsive sexual behavior) ~ Continuing behavior despite adverse consequences, such as loss of health, job, relationship; Obsession with the activity.
F) Pornography addiction ~ obsessive viewing, reading, and thinking about pornography.
G) Eating disorders (Anorexia nervosa , Bulimia nervosa and Binge eating )
H) Self-injury disorder (cutting)
I) Work
J) Working out (Exercise)
K) Kleptomania
L) Trichotillomania (impulse control disorder)
M) Anxiety disorder
The good news is that psychological dependency disorders can be treated easier and better then chemical. However since it is within you it is something you might have to deal with for the rest of your life. The important part is getting the medical help you need and learning how to handle the issue.
draconis
|
