| Happy New Year! That phrase will ring throughout the | | | | recognize that what they have associated with as |
| world as we celebrate and look forward to a | | | | candidly a habit is actually an addiction. While every |
| upcoming and prosperous New Year. I find it striking | | | | individual varies there are some signs that are habitual |
| about the number of articles that have been written | | | | among most addicts and addictions: |
| this week about curing the big hangover that | | | | Symptom # 1 |
| accompanies this celebration. Does this celebration | | | | Unable to meet responsibilities at home, school or |
| mask our overdependence to alcohol? Addictions are | | | | office. |
| most commonly associated with drug and alcohol | | | | Symptom # 2 |
| addiction, however the principle is millions of people | | | | Continues to use substances or engage in behavior |
| suffer from all kinds of addictions. | | | | even when it puts them in jeopardy. |
| Some of these addictions are related to some form of | | | | Symptom # 3 |
| chemical dependency such as alcohol, controlled | | | | The need increases to engage in behavior or use |
| substances and even prescription medicines. Other | | | | numerous amounts of a substance to obtain the same |
| addictions are related to compulsive types of behavior | | | | ramification or feeling. |
| such as gambling, shopping, food disorders an even the | | | | Symptom # 4 |
| Internet. | | | | Has tried but failed to stop using the substance or end |
| One of the most necessary things to pinpoint about | | | | the behavior. |
| any type of addiction, regardless of whether it is a | | | | Symptom # 5 |
| chemical addiction or a behavioral addiction; is that it is | | | | Continues to engage in the behavior or use the |
| not a matter of choice. Individuals who are addicts do | | | | substances even when they are cognizant of the |
| not have the faculty to easily select to stop abusing | | | | dangers. |
| their 'drug' of choice. Addictions affect not only the | | | | Answering yes to three or more of the above |
| user, but also their family and friends as well. | | | | conditions during a 12 month period may show that you |
| So what is an addiction? | | | | or a loved one has an addiction. The number one step |
| How does it begin and when does a pattern of | | | | to treating an addiction is recognizing that it exists. |
| behavior become an addiction? Some individuals seem | | | | There is no cure for an addiction. Treatment and |
| to have the expertise to use a substance or engage in | | | | counseling can lend a helping hand to an addict to |
| a behavior periodically over a period of years without | | | | show how to manipulate their behavior, withstand |
| becoming 'hooked.' Others; however are not capable | | | | impulses and pinpoint the presence of a headache, but |
| of stopping and become addicted. | | | | an addict is never cured. Treating an addiction can |
| Addictions affect all social and educational groups. | | | | take years and requires ongoing support from friends, |
| There is no typical addict. | | | | families and support groups. |
| The causes of addiction have been studied for several | | | | A 12 step program can be particularly healthful in |
| years. In bountious ways, addiction is caused by the | | | | treating an addiction. One of the most well known 12 |
| emotion the substance or behavior brings about in the | | | | step programs is AA, also known as Alcoholics |
| user. The body and mind become dependent on that | | | | Anonymous; however there are similar programs for |
| feeling and seeks to maintain it. | | | | all types of addictions. |
| There are addiction risk considerations that make | | | | Living with an addiction requires a once daily |
| some people more likely than others to become | | | | commitment and there is always the possibility of |
| addicts. Studies show that sometimes addictions can | | | | relapsing. An addict that has been "pure" for even 20 |
| be hereditary. The child of an alcoholic may not grow | | | | years can succumb to temptation just as they did |
| up to be an alcoholic, however, they may become | | | | decades before. |
| addicted to gambling or some other type of | | | | There are several treatment programs and centers |
| compulsive behavior as an adult. | | | | that can help with the numerous types of addictions |
| Besides hereditary, individuals who grow up in families | | | | that are extensive today. Many of them are |
| with abuse, neglect and who are impoverished are | | | | anonymous. Support groups are also applicable to a |
| more likely to become addicts. | | | | helping hand family and friends who encounter the |
| For most addicts, it can be extremely laborious to | | | | effects of an addiction in a loved one. |