Addictions
Overview
Addiction is characterised by compulsive seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain. It is considered both a complex neurological disorder and a mental illness. Addictions can include, but are not limited to, drug abuse, alcohol dependence, and behavioral addictions such as gambling, pornography, and excessive use of phones or the internet.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), substance use disorders (which cover drugs and alcohol) are characterised by criteria including failing obligations, risky use, impaired control, tolerance, and withdrawal. On the other hand, gambling disorder is the only behavioral addiction officially recognised in the DSM-5, characterised by persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior.
Even though internet, phone, and pornography addictions are not officially recognised in the DSM-5 or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as standalone disorders, excessive and compulsive use of these can lead to significant impairment or distress, much like other recognised addictions.
Key Features
Substance Use Disorders:
Alcohol Addiction (Alcoholism): Excessive and compulsive alcohol consumption despite negative consequences, leading to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Drug Addiction: Involves the compulsive use of illicit drugs (e.g., cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine) or prescription medications (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines) despite adverse effects on physical and mental health.
Nicotine Addiction: Dependence on nicotine-containing products such as cigarettes, cigars, or vaping devices, characterised by cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms.
Prescription Medication Addiction: Addiction to prescription medications, including opioids, stimulants, sedatives, or tranquilisers, often resulting from misuse or overuse of prescribed drugs.
Behavioral Addictions:
Gambling Addiction: Involves compulsive gambling behavior, characterised by a loss of control, preoccupation with gambling, and continued gambling despite negative consequences.
Gaming Addiction (Internet Gaming Disorder): Excessive and compulsive gaming behavior, leading to impaired functioning in various areas of life, such as work, school, relationships, and physical health.
Internet Addiction: Problematic use of the internet, including excessive time spent online, compulsive social media use, gaming, gambling, or pornography consumption, leading to negative consequences and interference with daily life.
Shopping Addiction (Compulsive Buying Disorder): Compulsive and excessive shopping behavior, involving a persistent urge to buy items, overspending, and financial problems despite efforts to stop or control the behavior.
Food Addiction (Binge Eating Disorder): Involves compulsive overeating, binge eating episodes, and a loss of control over food consumption, often leading to obesity, guilt, shame, and physical health problems.
Other Types of Addiction:
Sexual Addiction (Hypersexuality): Involves compulsive sexual behavior, excessive sexual fantasies, or sexual activities, leading to negative consequences such as relationship problems, legal issues, or sexually transmitted infections.
Work Addiction (Workaholism): Obsessive and compulsive focus on work, career, or professional success, often at the expense of personal relationships, health, and well-being.
Exercise Addiction (Exercise Dependence): Compulsive and excessive exercise behavior, characterised by a preoccupation with physical fitness, a need for intense workouts, and withdrawal symptoms when unable to exercise.
Each type of addiction shares common features such as compulsive behavior, loss of control, and negative consequences, regardless of the specific substance or behavior involved. Treatment for addiction typically involves a combination of psychotherapy, medication (when applicable), support groups, and lifestyle changes aimed at promoting recovery, reducing harm, and improving overall well-being.
How We Can Help
As psychologists, we can provide evidence-based interventions to help individuals overcome addiction. These include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you understand the triggers and develop healthier coping mechanisms, motivational interviewing to strengthen your motivation for change, and mindfulness-based relapse prevention to help you deal with cravings and potential relapse.
Family therapy may also be beneficial, addressing the familial and social factors that often contribute to addiction. Medication-assisted treatment may be appropriate for some types of addiction, such as alcohol and opioid addiction.
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, don't hesitate to reach out. Our team of compassionate, experienced psychologists is here to support you through your journey towards recovery. Contact us today, and take the first step towards reclaiming your life.