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

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

In addition to substance use addictions such as alcoholism, prescription pill, and controlled substances, there are process addictions. These addictions are related to compulsive behavior such as shopping, gambling, and disordered eating. Being active in addiction hurts not only yourself but people around you. Questions arise. What is addiction? Where is the starting point? Crossing the line from a behavior into addiction is a difficult point to ascertain?

A lot of people can participate in substance use or engage in certain behaviors and not have it become problematic. 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 study researchers cannot agree on the causes or cures for addiction. A truly difficult part of addiction and addictive behavior to measure is the emotional impact on self and others. Gaining relief from uncomfortably emotions is a prime motivator for engaging in addictive behaviors. Engage in addiction creates even more negative emotions that lead to a greater need for self soothing.

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. Things spin out of control.

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. Addiction will always progress toward the wars. If you do nothing, the problem will progress toward the worse.

There is more information available here on addiction treatment.