Types of Addictions

The types of addictions can be categorized as either substance or behavioral. Substance addictions are characterized by compulsive behaviors that lead to continuous abuse of a particular substance. On the other hand, behavioral addictions are triggered by stress and this is why they are also referred to as ‘stress-related’ addictions. Substance abuse includes using different substances like alcohol, drugs, foods, and so on while behavioral addictions involve engaging in activities that may seem normal but hurt one’s life over time. People with any type of addiction will exhibit certain common traits and these include:

Substance Abuse

One of the most common types of addiction is substance abuse. Examples of substances that can lead to substance abuse include alcohol, prescription drugs, marijuana, and so on. In most cases, substance abuse leads to a craving for a substance that is not good for the person’s health and is a reason to seek addiction treatment. Substance abuser craves the substance to get the same high they experienced while they were using it. They are often unable to stop even though they know it is bad for them. Substance abuse can be either mild or severe. Mild substance abuse is a condition in which a person uses a substance occasionally and without any harmful effects. However, mild substance abuse often leads to more serious substance abuse later on. Although there are no specific signs to determine whether someone is abusing a substance, there are some common signs to look out for.

Binge Eating & Compulsive Exercise

Binge eating and compulsive exercise are two of the most extreme forms of behavioral addictions. Sufferers of binge eating and compulsive exercise engage in these activities to the point that their lives revolve around them. Individuals who engage in these addictions often find themselves spending more money on these activities and neglecting their health, relationships, and work. Binge eating is a compulsive eating disorder that is characterized by uncontrollable eating binges. People with binge eating are often left with food scraps as they have eaten so much that there is no food left in the bowl.

Depression and Anxiety

Some people are genetically prone to develop certain types of mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. However, these disorders can also be triggered by certain external factors like a divorce, job loss,s or even a change in one’s diet. People who develop depression and anxiety due to a behavioral addiction are often very difficult to help. People with depression and anxiety often engage in self-destructive behaviors like excessive alcohol or drug use, overeating, excessive sleeping, and so on. The intensity of one’s depression and anxiety can also determine how one behaves.

Co-occurring Disorders

Some disorders are associated with each other and are referred to as ‘co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders often occur in people who have substance abuse problems. A person with substance abuse and a co-occurring disorder will be in a much worse position than someone who has just a substance abuse problem. Examples of co-occurring disorders include bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia.

Help for Substance Abuse or Addiction

The best way to get help for any type of addiction is to seek professional help. Addiction treatment like rehab or a 12-step program will help you to overcome your addiction. Several organizations provide addiction treatment like drug rehab, alcohol rehab, and psychiatric rehab. If you do not have access to these organizations, you can always find a great deal on travel rehab. Several travel rehab programs offer great deals where you can get help for your addiction. You can also consider attending a self-help group like an AA or Al-Anon meeting.

Help for Behavioral Addictions

As we have seen above, some behavioral addictions can be very tough to overcome. If you or someone you know is struggling with a behavioral addiction, there are some things you can do to help. You can encourage the person to seek help from a professional. You can also try to help the person to identify the addiction. This can be done by encouraging them to complete a free assessment like the ones offered by Codependents Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous.

Conclusion

Addictions are very common and there is no way to stop them from happening. However, you can learn to manage your addictions so that they do not take over your life. Addictions affect people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds and once you learn how to control them, you will be able to lead a happier, healthier lifestyle. It can be difficult to know how to start overcoming an addiction, but with the right advice and approach, you can make significant progress. The best way to overcome an addiction is to identify the root cause and work on correcting it.

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