Psychology Behind Addictions
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a condition where a person is unable to stop engaging something or using a substance.It also includes a intence desire or compulsion to continue the behaviour or substance use even after realising the negetive consequences. There are various types of addiction, including substance addictions like drugs and alcohol,nicotine, opioids,etc. Behavioral addictions such as gambling or gaming, and psychological addictions, like food,work or shopping.
Why addictive behaviour occurs?
Understanding the root cause of a problem is helpful for deriving a solution. When a person engages in pleasurable activity or experience there will occur a common tendency to pursue it more and more.Graduallly it will become a part of his/ her life and become addicted.The reason behind addiction is a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.One of the major biological factor is rewarding pathway of brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. Addictive substance or behaviour play a central role in activating this reward system which often reinforce the addictive behaviour.Other factors influencing addiction includes the individual's emotional state, quality of family relationships, social ties, employment status,stress and coping skills, personality traits and impulsiveness.
Signs of addiction:
� Frequent and persistent engagement in a behavior or use of a substance.
� Unable to stop the behavior even if intensely wished.
� Intense withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the substance.
� Neglect of relationships and responsibilities, with addictive behavior or substance becoming the center of focus.
� Continued engagement in the same behavior even after knowing all the negative consequences.
Treatment
� Detoxification
� Unable to stop the behavior even if intensely wished.
� Counselling and behavioural therapies.
� Rehabilitation programs
� Self-Help groups
� Medications