Types of Addiction
Do you know someone who has an addiction? Maybe you’ve been wondering if your behavior is addictive. Addiction is a lifelong disease that alters your brain chemistry by activating the reward center of your brain to produce feelings of pleasure. There are two types of addiction: substance addictions or “substance use disorder” and non-substance or “behavioral” addictions.
Substance Use Disorders can be mild, moderate or severe, with addiction being the most severe form of a substance use disorder. These involve the use of a drug, such as alcohol, caffeine, prescription drugs, tobacco/nicotine, cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, sedatives, hypnotics or anti-anxiety drugs.
The other type of addiction, behavior addiction, happens when a person performs an activity that stimulates the brain’s reward system. These types of addictions continue to be studied and compared to different types of compulsive behaviors such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. While not all addictive behaviors have an official diagnosis, it is important to pay attention to how they impact your daily functioning. Behaviors that have a negative impact or become all-consuming can cause significant mental, social and physical health issues. These behaviors can include but at not limited to activities like gambling, shopping, eating, exercising, viewing pornography, gaming, using the internet and dieting.
There is not a single cause for these addictions. Humans are programmed to seek activities that cause the brain to release dopamine. Sometimes this can come from healthy behaviors such as spending time with loved ones, exercising, or achieving a goal. Other times, this can create an unhealthy compulsion to seek activities or substances that have a negative impact.
Knowing your family history, avoiding or limiting substances and managing stress can help you prevent addiction. However, if you are concerned that you or a loved one is experiencing addiction, it is important to speak up earlier rather than later. Contact Mercy EAP today to share your concern, (319) 398-6575.
Photo: ©iStock.com/Liudmila Chernetska
