There are many images of addiction in pop culture and media; we see it on reality TV shows, in movies, and across social media. As a society, we’ve grown accustomed to statements from stars and influencers describing their struggle with addiction and their decision to go to rehab. The term is prevalent in our daily vernacular. We say we’re “addicted” to describe our relationship to snack foods, shopping, television, TikTok, and smartphones.
But what does addiction actually mean? And how do you know when you’re addicted to something versus just enjoying it? In simplest terms, addiction is a destructive force in the lives of the people it affects. More specifically, if you or someone you love is dealing with addiction, you’ll see three manifestations of it:
- A craving for a substance or activity.
- No control over the use of the substance.
- Returning to the activity despite adverse effects.
For most people, their “addiction” to coffee, chocolate, or The Bachelor doesn’t fit these criteria. However, if you or someone you care about has this relationship to a substance or activity, you may be addicted.
What does addiction look like?
People can experience varying degrees of addiction, from mild to moderate or severe. It may look like or feel like a compulsion to do something, even though you know it will have a destructive effect on your life. The substances abused the most often in America are:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Cannabis
- Stimulants, such as cocaine
- Opioids, such as prescription painkillers
There’s still an arcane perception among some that addiction is a character flaw or lack of willpower. Science disproved this notion by showing that addiction changes how the brain relates to certain substances or activities. There’s likely a heredity aspect that causes people to be prone to addiction. When a family member is addicted to something, you may be more likely to become addicted–although not necessarily the same thing.
Addiction occurs when people no longer simply like something. Instead, their brain tells them they need it. Many other aspects of their life become secondary to the pursuit and usage of the object of their addiction.
Addiction is a diagnosable condition, referred to as a substance use disorder.
Substance Use Disorder, the diagnosis of addiction.
Those who suspect they’re dealing with addiction and seek help from a mental health professional will encounter a set of criteria described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). These criteria help find out if substance use disorder (SUD) is present and its severity. The DSM specifies 11 points to establish whether someone suffers from addiction. Among the signs of SUD are:
- Substance use causes problems in personal and professional relationships.
- You’ve built up a tolerance to the substance and have to use more to feel the same way.
- You’ve tried to quit or control your usage but haven’t been successful.
- You’ve abandoned things you used to enjoy to use the substance instead.
Being able to recognize substance use disorder is the first step in recovering from it. There are various treatment plans available for addiction, and a combination of therapeutics proves to be the most successful.
Popular treatments for addiction.
Addiction is a chronic condition, and there will never be a day when you’re 100% cured and never have to think about it again. However, that doesn’t mean it’s untreatable. Science continues to get better at helping people deal with addiction and return to full, healthy lives free of involvement of the object of their addiction.
Lasting success in overcoming addiction may take many tries, with many approaches, but it’s far from impossible. A strong support system, either through a recovery program or friends and family, and the tenacity to continue trying are common among people who overcame their addictions.
