We all are aware of the word “addiction.” There are many types of addiction like smoking addiction, alcohol addiction, and drug addiction. These are mostly seen in teenagers and adults and are related to them. There are other addictions like nondrug dependency which include behavioral addictions like internet addiction, gaming addiction, gambling, and screen addiction which also calls for equal addiction. Generally, addiction is associated with alcohol, smoke, and drugs. In this pandemic, let’s not constrain ourselves with these kinds of drug dependency addiction, rather let’s focus on addiction which is related to the internet, screen, and gaming addiction which is again common in children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly age groups.
The real cause behind addiction and What exactly is addiction?
When you are addicted to drugs, alcohol, smoke, or certain types of behavioral addiction, you will find it difficult to stop, both physically and psychologically using a substance or participating in the activity even though you are aware of its harmful effects.
Types of addiction
There are two types of addictions:
- Drug dependency includes addictions to alcohol, smoke, or substances drugs like opioids, cocaine, heroin, etc.
- Non Drug dependency includes behavioral addiction where you get involved in an activity with an inability to stop including gambling, eating, internet addiction, or screen addiction. These addictions are referred to as process addiction or behavioral addictions.
An equal amount of importance should be given to both types of addiction. These drug and nondrug dependency causes a great impact physically and well as psychologically on your body. It's difficult to deal with such an addiction at times. Addictions may also lead to long prolonged mental illness which may be difficult to deal with.
The impact of addiction on the brain
The brain is a very complex organ and a multi-tasker. Your mind is the virtual part of the brain where many activities like thinking, reasoning, and cognitive functions take place. Getting addicted to a particular drug or behavior can be difficult to overcome at times. It could be a typical habit where you are used to following it every day. Addiction is also a habit where you have a strong desire and cravings to consume drugs or indulge in that activity repeatedly. This reinforcement of the brain to repeatedly perform activities or indulge in drugs may take a toll on your mental and physical health. On stopping drugs or such activities, you may become anxious, restless, and depressed leading to withdrawal symptoms. This interferes with daily activities. It also affects the quality of life.
The similarity between drug addiction and behavioral addiction
The concept of behavioral addiction is similar to drug addiction. The target organ which gets affected is the brain. Let’s not forget the repeated behaviors involved in both drug and non-drug dependency which gives pleasure to the brain. You have a strong feeling to repeatedly indulge in an activity and drugs which activates the reward and pleasure system in the brain and makes you feel happy. This pleasurable feeling is called ”euphoria” which relates to unexplained happiness with any cause of reason. Likewise, someone having cravings for their pleasurable effects can step onto the phase of withdrawal symptoms. Avoiding drug and behavioral addiction abruptly can lead to a lot of withdrawal symptoms. Both are very much similar in the aspect of addiction. But, remember, the addiction effects, cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and after-effects are very unique for every person. Every person reacts differently to every kind of addiction.
For example, When a person having behavioral addiction tries to stop participating in that particular behavior, withdrawal symptoms may have a different range of agitation, disturbed sleep, personality changes, and becoming irritability.
Addiction is just pleasure-seeking craving or more than that
Addiction such as drug addiction or behavior addiction which involves smoking, alcoholism, gambling, the internet, or screen addiction is a source of pleasure. The idea of addiction is a personal weakness that chooses the person to repeatedly indulge in the activity of drinking, smoking, gambling, etc. The addict loses the willpower to overcome it and falls prey to addiction.
Sneak Peak to what researchers say this pandemic in regards to addiction
Researchers such as clinicians and scientists say that many people engage in potentially addictive substances and activities during this pandemic. People typically try to indulge in psychoactive substances to feel good and experience the “happy “ sensation. They are trying to get over the discomfort of this pandemic both physically and emotionally. Humans are addicted to social behaviors. People are looking out for comfort zones in this pandemic to release their tension about the cOVID scenario and are indulging in behavioral addiction. The main roots of addiction are the sensation of happiness and pleasure-seeking behavior.
The object of addiction, whether drug, alcohol, or behavior is functional and mental. It destroys you while you are addicted. Addiction is a relationship between a person and the drug or activity.
All kinds of addictions this pandemic
- Alcohol addiction
- Smoking addiction
- Drug addiction
- Internet addictions
- Screen addiction
- Computer addiction
- Gaming addiction
- Gambling
- Compulsive internet seeking
- Shopping addiction
- Exercise addiction
- Binge Eating addiction
- Sex addiction
- Social media addiction
The only solution to any addiction is a rehab center. Get your virtual or in-person treatment started today at the best rehab center