When we hear the word addiction, we often think of someone who is struggling with drugs or alcohol. But the reality is far more complex – and more common. Addiction includes hobbies such as gambling, gaming, and even something as simple as checking your phone; it’s not limited to just substances. The core issue is that, even when someone is aware that their habit is harming them, addiction makes it difficult—if not impossible—for them to quit. But why? Let’s deconstruct it here.
Addiction Extends Beyond “Bad Habits”
Addiction is primarily a disorder in which a person becomes dependant on a substance or activity in spite of the negative consequences. It’s not about making “bad decisions” or lacking willpower, as culture typically portrays it. Addiction changes the way the brain works, making it incredibly difficult to break the cycle.
Consider this: your friend started drinking to relax after work—a glass of wine here and there to help her de-stress. Nothing out of the ordinary, right? Over time, that single glass evolved into two, then three. They eventually realized that they needed alcohol not just to relax, but to feel normal. That’s the challenging component of addiction – it sneaks up on you, operates under the radar. What starts as something innocent can slowly become something you unconsciously rely on.
The Addiction Cycle
Typically, addiction follows a predictable pattern that goes something like this:
- Craving: You feel an overwhelming desire for the substance or activity.
- Indulgence: You give in to the craving, feeling pleasure or finding relief.
- Withdrawal: Stopping creates discomfort or anxiety, which increases your desire to indulge again.
Take the example of social media use. A fairly normal practice is to check your phone first thing in the morning to catch up on alerts. But over time, you realize that you are constantly reaching for your phone, even when it makes no sense, like during conversations, at work, or while spending time with family. Although you know it’s becoming a problem, the thought of not monitoring your phone makes you feel frightened or left out. It’s an excellent example of how addiction can be linked to everyday behaviors that disrupt your life, rather than just drugs or alcohol.
Addiction: Substance vs. Behavior
The majority of people associate addiction with drugs or alcohol. Although these are among of the most well-known forms, addiction can also describe certain behaviors. This could include things like:
- Gambling
- Excessive internet use or gaming
- Shopping
- Eating (especially binge eating)
Substance and behavioral addiction are essentially the same. In both situations the person feels compelled to continue engaging in the activity, or consuming the substance, even when it’s harmful. It might be wrecking their finances, their relationships, or their physical health. But the grip of addiction is so strong that it’s nearly impossible to quit without help.
How Does Addiction Start?
People don’t wake up one day and say, “I think I’ll become addicted to something.” It is usually a gradual process that develops over time, and often without the person realizing it. Addiction usually begins as a coping mechanism for something else—stress, anxiety, trauma, or simply the grind of daily life. What starts off as a form of relief eventually becomes a crutch.
Let’s return to the example of social drinking. Your friend may have started drinking to relax, but over time they began relying on alcohol to cope with emotional pain or stress. They can’t imagine getting through the day without it. This is how addiction takes root—it becomes less about enjoying the experience and more about requiring it to function. And these are often unconscious choices.
This is also true for behavioral addictions. Consider the gamer in your life. It starts out as a fun way to spend time, but eventually they start skipping meals, ignoring their responsibilities, or pulling all-nighters to keep playing. The game progresses from being a pleasant pass-time to feeling like a necessity. That’s where the line, the tipping point, between passion and addiction gets crossed.
Recognizing Addiction
It is important to understand that addiction can happen to anyone. Nobody fits a “type” that becomes addicted. It doesn’t discriminate between the young, the old, the wealthy, or those who are struggling financially.
How can you tell when a behavior has crossed the tipping point into an addiction? Here are some indicators:
- Loss of Control: You’ve tried to cut back or stop, but you can’t.
- Increased Tolerance: You need more of the substance or behavior to get the same feeling.
- Neglecting Responsibilities: Work, school, family, or other obligations start to take a back seat.
- Withdrawal: When you stop, you experience anxiety, irritability, or physical symptoms.
- Continued Use Despite Consequences: Even though you know it’s causing harm (financial, emotional, physical), you keep going.
Let’s consider games. First and foremost, it provides an opportunity for fun and socialization with friends. But if you find yourself missing work, canceling activities, or feeling unhappy without your console, it may be time to reevaluate your relationship with it.
Final Thoughts
Addiction is a powerful force that transcends willpower or “bad decisions.” Even if you know it’s harmful, this condition keeps you in its clutches and makes it tough to escape. Addiction can affect everyone, regardless of the drugs or behaviors, such as gaming. The first step toward getting help and breaking the cycle, however, is recognizing the signs it exists.
In future posts, we’ll go deeper into the science of addiction and study its causes. Remember that overcoming addiction necessitates understanding it; recovery is always possible with the right tools and support.