Addiction occurs when a person compulsively engages in a behaviour such as taking drugs, gambling, drinking, gaming, sex.
Even when bad side effects kick in and people feel like they are losing control, people who have addictions usually can't stop doing the thing they're addicted to without help and support.
What is addiction?
Addiction can mean many things to many people, but in general, it refers to repeatedly using a substance or engaging in an activity for pleasure, even though doing so causes harm or interferes with every day life.
Types of Addiction
Addiction is basically a compulsion to use a certain substance or to behave in a certain way in order to feel good. Addiction falls into two main categories.
Physical Addiction
Physical addiction occurs when your body becomes dependent on a particular substance. It also means that you've developed a tolerance for the substance, so you have to take more to feel the effects.
Psychological Addiction
Psychological Addiction happens when your craving for a substance or behaviour comes from an emotional or psychological desire. You may already know that your brain is so powerful, that you may find yourself suffering symptoms of withdrawal that it will produce physical symptoms like those of physical withdrawal. Psychological addictions include exercise, internet, overeating, sex, gambling, gaming and shopping.
What causes Addiction?
Dr Gabor Mate says that underlying any addiction, is pain. A hurt is at the centre of all addictive behaviours. It is present in the gambler, the Internet addict, the compulsive shopper and the workaholic. The wound may not be as deep and the ache not as excruciating, and it may even be entirely hidden, but it's there.
You can find a video about Addiction on my blog: click here to watch Dr Gabor Mate
