Addiction is something that a person does not give a damn about until he is completely at its mercy. He will deny its existence to the last, because for many it is an indicator of weakness.
This article will help to understand the concept of “addictive behavior” and its direct manifestation. The impact of addiction on a person’s life and how to get rid of it will be touched upon.
What is “addictive behavior”?
Addiction = relief. That is the easiest way to explain it. If we approach it scientifically, then addictive behavior is one type of deviant behavior that is characterized by the subordination of one’s entire life to a single interest. A person experiences an irresistible craving for a certain substance, object or type of activity, which causes him a state of euphoria. Addiction to a chosen object allows one to escape from real life by changing the focus of one’s attention.
Why does addiction equate to relief? It’s simple, a person seeks the object of their desire in every way, because nothing else gives them so much joy, and getting it, falls into ecstasy. Psychologists say that in this way people are trying to stifle their inner pain, to escape from it by changing their mental state.
If the object of dependence for some reason is not available, the very real “withdrawal” begins, regardless of whether the person is an addict, depends on food or work. It is expressed in extremely painful sensations that arise throughout the body, causing panic attacks, depression and neurosis.
Why does addiction destroy?
Logically, addictive behavior cannot be called the norm of a mentally healthy person. Rather, it is a form of deviance that involves shifting one’s attention to inanimate objects or substances, replacing simple human interaction with them. Literally everything the addict learns and achieves in life goes side by side with the object of addiction.
It is clear that alcohol or drug addiction directly affects physical health, but most people do not see the harm of workaholism or fanatical sporting activities. The main thing to understand is that if a person cannot stop, going headlong into his occupation, this is the first sign of addictive behavior.
In addition to physical harm, mental exhaustion sets in. It affects the overall condition of the body, causing headaches, heartaches, constant tension, and in some cases, arrhythmias and loss of consciousness.
Thus, drug addiction causes elevated levels of dopamine (the hormone that causes a rush of joy and happiness) to become the norm in a depleted body. A person begins to feel anxious about it, which is almost impossible to cope with. Not infrequently in such situations it ends in suicide.
How does a person become a slave?
A person does not immediately become a slave to his passions and habits. Whether it is game addiction, alcohol addiction or food addiction, they all come after some time. Specialists distinguish four stages in the formation of such behavior:
The first stage
This is the very beginning of addiction, the formation of its beginnings. At this stage the acquaintance with the sensations that the chosen object gives takes place. In the case of alcohol addiction this is a feeling of lightness and euphoria, when “the sea is knee-deep” and “mountains are on your shoulders”, and with game addiction this is an unusual excitement from the expectation of winning.
One realizes that one does not have to make any special effort to change one’s mood, because there are quick ways to do it all the time. It makes one want to come back again and again.
Stage Two
This stage involves the formation of a habit in the use of the chosen mind-altering remedy. The person uses it with a certain frequency, which depends on the frequency of the onset of that psychological state that led him to such behavior. This may be due to the following factors:
- Personality characteristics that were formed before the acquisition of addiction;
- standard of living;
- level of upbringing and culture;
- certain life events, most often a shock or loss of a loved one;
- environment, including social ties with people.
- It is important to understand that the more often the person takes a mental-altering substance or object, the more he/she withdraws from any interpersonal relationships. Later on, any little thing, be it a quarrel with relatives or a bruised foot in transport, provokes them to use them.
Stage Three
If a person has reached this stage, it means that addictive behavior has become a norm of life and is firmly embedded in their daily affairs and habits. For example, drug addiction becomes an inseparable part of the personality, merging with it into a single whole. Such people do not accept criticism in any form and it is practically impossible to dissuade them. They are so desirous to change their mental condition that no obstacles, including problems of close people or banal lack of money, are able to stop them on this way.
The fourth stage
The fourth stage is full immersion into the new environment, which leads to complete isolation from other people. The addict loses the ability of even usual household communication, not to mention more close attachments. The main thing is that the object of addiction no longer brings the former pleasure, which leads to an increase in the intensity of its use.
A little later there is a complete destruction of the personality, right down to the basic biological processes. If it is an alcohol addiction, intoxication will affect almost all vital internal organs, causing complete exhaustion of the body. The addict will lose touch with reality and nothing will give him pleasure. Constant apathy appears, and any relationships with people become completely impossible.
How to become free?
It is very difficult, and in some cases almost impossible, to free oneself from the state of addictive behavior. You will have to take a long and difficult road on the way to full recovery. Addiction treatment consists of the following steps:
- The first step involves complete and unconditional honesty, primarily with yourself. You will have to compose an internal dialogue, in which the person must admit the problem and clearly decide to get rid of it. The main thing is to find your motivation. Without it, any endeavor awaits failure.
- The second step leads to the necessary changes in life. The person will have to find the cause of their addiction in order to understand what they need to get rid of. In some cases, this involves giving up one’s usual social circle or even changing one’s place of residence. All stressful situations need to be minimized as much as possible. You will also have to get rid of all the rituals that go side by side with each addiction. For example, a gambling addiction develops stronger if even the most innocuous of its manifestations are not eliminated. It is necessary to remove from sight all attributes that are associated with gambling – cards, chips and even delete mobile applications.
- The third step is to return to society. At this stage, you need to find people who will help you get rid of your addiction. Most often they are professional psychologists or people who have been through similar trials.
- The fourth step is very important, because at this step an addict learns to love and accept himself all over again. It is necessary to make a certain plan, which should include a gradual transition to a correct way of life.
There is no need to expect that addiction treatment will happen quickly and painlessly, because the addiction was formed not one day. The main thing in any case – it is a setting for the result. Only in this case you can succeed, even if there are breakdowns.
