My view on addiction
Dependency and numbness
The word addiction refers to the loss of free will, being a slave to… In latin Addictus refers to surrender, dependency.
I see addiction as an illness that prevents the addict from functioning normally. It affects not only the addict themselves, but also their family and those around them. It disrupts relationships and causes tension.
Addiction eventually renders an addict incapable of making healthy decisions. Evaluating, considering, reasoning, taking action, and concentrating become increasingly difficult. The illness disrupts emotions and influences social behavior. As a result, selfishness, anger, and fears become increasingly dominant.
Someone is addicted when…
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wanting to use turns into needing to use.
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that person is willing to put everything aside for a substance, with all the consequences that entails.
How does addiction develop?
Addiction does not develop overnight. How quickly you become addicted varies from person to person and depends on the substance or behavior involved. Regular (daily) excessive use can lead to tolerance, which can develop into addiction. Various factors and the interaction between them determine whether you develop an addiction.
Factors that can play a role in addiction are:
- Genetic vulnerability: some people are more vulnerable to addiction than others.
- Psychological problems: if a person has experienced trauma, depression, stress, or anxiety, for example, he/she is often more susceptible to developing an addiction. Although the substances or behavior may help you feel better temporarily, the addiction can also cause your psychological problems to increase.
- Social factors: growing up in a family or social environment where substance use or addiction is present increases the risk of addiction. Consider, for example, the influence of friends who use substances or exhibit certain behaviors, such as alcohol consumption, drug use, gaming, or gambling.
Symptoms of addiction
In order to support loved ones with an addiction, it is important to know the symptoms of addiction. Common symptoms include:
- Denying that there is a problem.
- Believing that you can do everything on your own and don’t need help.
- Not having balance in your life.
- Being completely focused on the behavior; obtaining the substance, using it, and being numb.
- The belief that being high is meaningful.
- The belief that nothing is more important than the addiction or use at that moment.
- Being irritable, restless, reckless, selfish, lying, stealing, and manipulating.
- Memory loss, being absent from work, poor work performance, financial problems, family problems.
People often use substances or engage in certain behaviors to maintain their position in relationships, work, and society. It is a coping mechanism or a way of dealing with (unprocessed) emotions. By gaining insight into the reasons behind the use of substances or behaviors, a first step can be taken toward an effective treatment plan.