Addictive Behaviors And Addiction: Do Any Of These 7 Signs Look Familiar?

When people refer to addiction drug addiction or alcoholism comes first to mind, but actually addiction is broader in scope than that.

Process addictions can occur in addition to chemical dependency. Addictions such as shopping, gambling, and disordered eating are related to compulsive behavior. When a person is actively using they hurt themselves and others. This raises questions. Addiction, what is it? How does all this get started? Crossing the line from a behavior into addiction is a difficult point to ascertain?

It is a mystery why some can use alcohol and drugs and not become addicted, while others cannot avoid it. Victims of addiction have lost the ability to control or stop their user behaviors. Who you are or your social standing does not matter when it comes to addiction.

There is not a standard addict profile. There is no universal type. Despite a lot of effort and intensive study no one can seem to agree on the causes or cures of addiction. The part of addiction and that is the most confusing and confounding is the emotional part of it. Gaining relief from uncomfortably emotions is a prime motivator for engaging in addictive behaviors. The irony is that using generates more negative emotions that require more relief.

While addiction manifests itself in different people in different ways, here are the most common signs and symptoms of addiction:

Symptom 1 - Unable to meet responsibilities of relationships or at home, school or work.

Symptom 2 - Compulsive preoccupation, meaning one spends a great deal of time thinking about the substance or behavior

Symptom 3 - Has tried but failed to stop using the substance or end the behavior. Control is lost.

Symptom 4 - Engages in the behavior or substance use knowing it is dangerous or in dangerous situations such as driving.

Symptom 5 - Because of the addiction, one stops activities or hobbies that were fun or enjoyable.

Symptom 6 - There is a need to increase the amount and frequency of the behavior or substance to achieve the desired felling or affect.

Symptom 7 - Ones life has become centered around the addiction, isolation from others occurs.

Talk to somebody if any of the above symptoms are occurring. Virtually all addiction professionals agree that there is a progressive element to addiction. Left untreated, it will get worse.

There is more information available here on addiction treatment.