Understanding Addictive Behaviors

In "The Addictive Behaviors," author W.R. Miller tells us that people can become dependent on, addicted to or compulsively obsessed with any substance, object, activity or habit that gives them pleasure.

It has been noted that there are many similarities between a physical addiction to a substance like alcohol and a psychological dependence on a compulsive activity like gambling. The object of the addiction could be anything, food, shopping, sex, alcohol, drugs, or gambling. Individuals often report that they experience a blackout of sorts while engaging in their addictive behaviors and they remember very little about what transpired.

Engaging in an addictive behaviors causes endorphins to be released in the brain and this create a false feeling of euphoria and well being that keeps people trapped in an addictive cycle. The addicted person loses the ability to control his habits and decisions. This causes him to continue the destructive habits even though they cause serious negative health or social consequences. The addiction may cause a loss of relationships or a job. An addict continues compulsively with the addictive behaviors even if he no longer derives pleasure from it.

When he tries to stop engaging in the addiction, he often suffers from physical consequences like craving, irritability and restlessness. In all likelihood, the addicted person denies that he has a problem and refuses to see that it is destroying his family or career. He may feel that he has a bad habit and he has control of it which is exactly the opposite of reality.

People that are addicted to substances or behaviors often suffer from depression as well. They usually have low self esteem and were raised in families that were physically or psychologically abusive. Currently, there is not a consensus among professionals as to the cause, prevention, or treatment of addiction. Some experts believe addiction is a disease while others think it arises due to a combination of heredity and environmental factors. They argue that addiction is not a disease because it does not have one definite cause and course of treatment.

This disagreement between mental health practitioners can cause problems when it comes to treatment of addiction and prevention management. No one approach works for all addicts. However, there are many forms of treatment that are effective; it is a matter of finding the right one for each addict.